Mike: Far From Recovery

For more, visit www.droregon.o....
Video transcript:
Narrator: Far from Recovery. Stories from the Oregon State Hospital. Mike.
Mike: I just spent five years in Oregon State Hospital, Salem.
Tim (off camera): County paid lodging for two more days.
Mike: Hmm. And I should consider myself, I mean, I can hear the hospital, I can hear the state voice. You should consider yourself lucky. You know, we don't do this for everybody or something, you know? I mean. Yeah, two more days and then I'll have to pay for it myself.
Narrator: Holding and treating Mike at the Oregon State Hospital costs the state of Oregon nearly $2.5 million.
Tim: Which would then diminish your ability to do a first and last.
Mike: Yeah, I have very little money. The hospital wouldn't let me work. I had a job at one point, they took it away. They wouldn't give me another one. And then Covid hit.
Narrator: The plan for Mike to remain stable in the community after his discharge and reduce the risk of him returning into the system. Two weeks in a Motel 6, approximate cost, $1,200.
Tim: So the minute you start surviving on those funds, you remove your ability to set yourself up.
Mike: Right now I have money for first and last. Right now.
Tim: Your week here.
Mike: Right now. Yeah. Next week, I won't have that.
Tim: What do you think your options will be then?
Mike: I don't have any options. Those are forced options, go live on the street. (exhale) I can't live on the street, Tim. I've done that. I've been there.
Narrator: The last time Disability Rights Oregon had contact with Mike, he indicated that he was out of resources and would be evicted within the hour. For more stories, visit droregon.org/far-from-recovery.