Medford Police Department, Prescott Room, 219 S. Ivy Street in Medford
Join us for a conversation on community-based approaches to addressing mental illness, substance abuse and houselessness that helps to connect those in crisis to services and reduce unnecessary arrests.
The Eugene-Springfield based crisis intervention program, CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets), is a 24/7, free response team available for a broad range of non-criminal crises, including homelessness, substance abuse, and mental illness problems, as well as dispute resolution and conflict mediation. CAHOOTS has been successful in diverting thousands of calls away from police and emergency rooms, saved millions of dollars in medical and public safety costs and served some of the most marginalized and alienated populations in their community.
With Jackson County and the City of Medford both recently declaring addiction a crisis and the county considering a $166 million investment in a new jail, the time to discuss investment in innovative and cost-saving public safety programs is now. Jackson County has one of the highest county jail booking rates per capita in the state, begging the question, what are some of the best approaches for diverting those experiencing mental illness and addiction away from the criminal justice system? And what services are lacking in our community that could keep people out of jail in the first place? Join us for this presentation to start the conversation.
This event is open to the public. Community members, elected officials and service providers welcome and encouraged to attend!
