ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO THE PUBLIC INEBRIATE PROBLEM IN METROPOLITAN AREAS - A SUMMARY OF FINDINGS FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AND BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

• NCJ Number: 29004
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 12 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
• Corporate Author: Human Ecology Institute
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; Human Ecology Institute
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SUMMARY OF A STUDY WHICH ESTIMATED THE CURRENT COSTS OF HANDLING PUBLIC INEBRIATES AND PROJECTED THE FUTURE COSTS OF BOTH MAINTAINING EXISTING APPROACHES ANDIMPLEMENTING NEW SYSTEMS FOR HANDLING PUBLIC INEBRIATES IN TWO CITIES.

Abstract

THIS STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE SPECIAL PROJECTS BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM (NIAAA). THE TWO METROPOLITAN AREAS STUDIED WERE ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AND BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. ATLANTA WAS CHOSEN AS A STUDY SITE BECAUSE IT EXEMPLIFIED THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH OF HEAVY RELIANCE ON CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF PUBLIC INEBRIATES. BALTIMORE WAS SELECTED AS A STUDY SITE BECAUSE IN 1968 THE MARYLAND STATE LAW WAS CHANGED TO PROHIBIT CHARGES FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR PUBLIC INEBRIATES. BASED ON COMPARISONS OF THE APPROACH TO THE PUBLIC INEBRIATE IN THESE TWO AREAS, IT IS CONCLUDED THAT REHABILITATION IS A MORE COST EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM THAN A PUNITIVE APPROACH UTILIZING CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. COORDINATION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES AND PROVISION OF SERVICES SUFFICIENT TO DEMAND IS STRESSED. IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER METROPOLITAN AREAS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)