Rowan: Mental health system is broken
By Terry Murry on Friday, July 21st, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan says the number of calls for service due to people experiencing behavioral health crises continues to grow. Meanwhile, law enforcement has few options about placing those people in treatment so if they pose a danger they end up in jail.
“The system is at a point right now where it’s so broken that you almost just need to tear it back down to the frame and rebuild it,” he said.
Rowan said the key to beginning to address the problem is in the hands of the lawmakers. He has some advice.
“Look at the laws that hinder our ability to find placement and change those laws to fit today’s environment,” he said. “I think that would be very beneficial to all.”
The crisis is gripping the nation, not just Oregon. A survey last year done by CNN and the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that nine out of 10 adults believe there’s a mental health crisis in the United States today.
