Published on OPB.org
The Clackamas County Commission has approved the purchase of the former Clackamas Elementary School as the site for a comprehensive drug-treatment and recovery campus. The six-acre property will eventually house detox units, residential beds, transitional housing, and integrated recovery services — including medical and dental care. During Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Ben West delivered an impassioned message about the urgency of Oregon’s addiction and mental-health crisis, asking how much longer communities must “step over bodies” while bureaucracies stall solutions. He argued that housing alone cannot solve addiction and that real recovery requires structured treatment and personal responsibility. West emphasized that the campus will provide immediate access for individuals referred by police, hospitals, or family members — giving them up to 18 months of care. His stance reflects a balance of compassion and realism: building pathways to stability while ensuring accountability. The project aligns with West’s broader vision for restoring public safety and dignity through effective local leadership.
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