Ben West Helps Shape Clackamas County’s Full-Scale Recovery Campus to Combat Addiction Crisis
Published on LakeOswegoReview.com
A Lake Oswego Review article on Clackamas County’s emerging recovery campus highlights Commissioner Ben West as a key leader shaping the project and pushing for an expanded continuum of care for people struggling with addiction. The county purchased the six-acre former Clackamas Elementary School site in late 2024 and is now refining designs, planning funding sources, and preparing for rezoning as it moves toward construction in 2026. Early plans include a withdrawal management and residential treatment building with 40 beds, and a second building offering outpatient services and 36 transitional housing beds, with the capacity to serve roughly 250 people per quarter.
The campus is part of a broader initiative to address “drugs, crime, and untreated mental illness,” offering long-term stays of up to 18 months and services ranging from detox and mental health care to job training, family support, and medical and dental services. West used the board meeting to advocate for even more robust support, expressing hope that the site could eventually incorporate some level of low-barrier shelter — a need he noted previous leadership resisted. His comments signal a willingness to broaden the county’s recovery tools while maintaining clarity about community impacts.
West also raised the possibility of using 2.5 unallocated acres for additional service needs, including the introduction of hospice care — demonstrating his interest in maximizing the campus’s community benefit. While staff confirmed this particular campus will not serve youth, West and other commissioners emphasized the importance of expanding youth-focused recovery options countywide.
The project will be developed and operated in partnership with Fora Health, and the county is pursuing state funds, federal dollars, and other sources — including newly allocated state investments — to reach its $35–40 million goal.
Content credit to LakeOswegoReview.com
