DA Hummel launching ‘Goldilocks’ drug-crimes program

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said Wednesday his office on Friday will launch Goldilocks, a three-tiered initiative focused on identifying the most appropriate intervention for each drug suspect, based on their crime and substance use disorder.

He said the aim of this pilot program is to make Deschutes County a safer and healthier place to live by reducing recidivism rates related to drug crimes.

An event to announce the launch of Goldilocks will be held on Thursday, November 16, at 12:30 p.m. at Mosaic Medical’s East Bend Clinic, located at 2084 NE Professional Court in Bend, The media and public are encouraged to attend to learn more about Goldilocks.

This county-wide collaborative program involves law enforcement, behavioral health, primary care physicians, drug counselors, and public defenders, according to Hummel, who has been visiting with city and county officials in recent weeks to outline the program.

Individuals suspected of possessing a controlled substance receive a pre-charge diversion option under the first tier (labeled Clean Slate) that offers quick access to medical care and drug treatment and provides participants with the opportunity to avoid an arrest record.

Individuals charged with a drug crime more severe than PCS will go through the program’s second tier (Boost) and are prosecuted following the “traditional” criminal justice model, the DA said.

And individuals charged with a commercial drug offense or selling drugs to minors are prosecuted under the program’s third tier (Deter), which Hummel said seeks the maximum prison sentence.

“Deschutes County has a drug problem, and our current criminal justice strategy is not the solution,” Hummel said in a news release. “We have been too lenient on commercial drug dealers and too tough on people with a drug addiction. We can and will do better. Goldilocks will reduce crime, save lives, and save tax dollars.”

The Goldilocks program is funded in-part through the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur’s Safety and Justice Challenge.

Hummel said Goldilocks is a unique model to address a community’s drug problem because it was developed based on research of local community data; involves partnerships with federally qualified health centers; and takes a multi-tiered approach that provides quick access to treatment for drug users and seeks long jail sentences for drug dealers.