One morning last week, Ron Ross worked the busy room with the warmth of a gracious host, greeting everyone who entered, fist-bumping some and wrapping others in hugs.

But this wasn’t a party and none of the people Ross encountered wanted to be there.

All faced low-level charges stemming from drug addiction and ended up in Clackamas County’s new specialty court .

Many needed a place to live or they had lapsed and used drugs again.

The court’s goal: redirect people coping with addiction away from jail and into housing and treatment.

As court got underway, Ross barely sat still. He moved like a hummingbird among the court’s participants, gathering basic information, gently explaining the court process and setting them up with a place to live, treatment and the support of a mentor i

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