The first thing they heard of the person was that they had recently overdosed and been revived with naloxone distributed by Provoking Hope.
Shortly after, the individual approached the Yamhill County organization with a bigger goal. He was ready for a long-term change. Staff transported him to detox, coordinated admission into a 90-day treatment program, secured transitional housing, connected them with mental health services and continued providing peer support after treatment.
Months later, the individual accepted his first full-time job in 12 years – at Provoking Hope.
Provoking Hope’s outreach teams travel throughout the county five days a week carrying naloxone, sterile syringes, wound care supplies and other essentials. Every outreach worker is also a certified peer recovery mentor with lived experience of substance use or homelessness.
Executive Director Aaron Lopez says people who use drugs are making healthier choices — both big and small — every day. The work of supporting people who use drugs is not just a short-term intervention. It’s a bridge to more positive, long-term change.
“Once we’re building those relationships in the community, we have the trust in place,” Lopez said. “When they’re ready for change, we bring them into peer support.”
In Coos Bay, at The Devereux Center, staff are witnessing similar stories.
The Devereux Center has redesigned its navigation center model to meet people where they are. Staff bring food, case management, housing assistance, wound care, naloxone and hygiene supplies directly into neighborhoods across Coos Bay. Those regular interactions create opportunities to build relationships over weeks or months.
One man first connected with the organization while living in a wrecked van. He came looking for safer smoking supplies, naloxone, and other basic necessities. The Devereux Center helped repair his van in exchange for volunteer time with the organization.
As he helped out with various jobs — maintenance, the thrift store, food service and processing donations — he revealed he was interested in a life change. The team helped him access medication treatment, and fast forward to a year later, he now has his own apartment and a full-time job as the maintenance coordinator at The Devereux Center.
“If we hadn’t offered safe smoking supplies and Narcan, he never would have gotten help,” said Operation Manager John Hammon. “He would not be where he’s at.”
For both organizations, support for people who use drugs is not just about resolving one crisis after another, it’s about becoming a trusted partner. It often leads to treatment, housing, jobs, health insurance — and a healthier life.
