Salem needs a mobile response unit as soon as possible to address homelessness and other persons in crisis. We cannot afford to wait any longer and we demand the City take immediate action! 

Here's why:

A proven success story: We know these teams work, based on the 30+ years of experience by the nationally-recognized mobile response unit known as CAHOOTS in Eugene. The program mobilizes two-person teams consisting of a medic (such as an EMT) and a crisis worker (such as a QMHP) who has substantial training and experience in the mental health field. They handle a wide range of mental health-related crises, including conflict resolution, welfare checks, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and more, relying on trauma-informed de-escalation and harm reduction techniques. CAHOOTS is being replicated in cities like Portland and is currently under consideration in Salem.

Saves lives: A November 2016 study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine estimated that 20% to 50% of fatal encounters with law enforcement involved an individual with a mental illness. The CAHOOTS model demonstrates that these fatal encounters are not inevitable.

Saves money: By handling non-emergent medical issues in the field, mobile crisis teams avoid costly ambulance transport and emergency room treatment. CAHOOTS estimates saving the City of Eugene approximately eight million dollars per year in public safety spending, by saving costly trips to the ER and by dispatching medics and crisis workers in lieu of police and firefighters (whose salaries are substantially higher).

The right tool for the right job: Out of 24,000 calls to CAHOOTS in a recent year, only 150 calls resulted in them calling for police back-up, diverting 5 - 8% of police calls and reaching people who otherwise would not be reached. This goes to show that there is a need for this service separate and apart from police and fire services. Mobile crisis teams free up firefighters and police for higher acuity calls and can help reduce their response times, too. 

We urge the City to work with community partners like United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and others to make this happen ASAP.