COUNSELING ALCOHOLIC EMPLOYEES IN A MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

• NCJ Number: 10665
• Journal: QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF STUDIES ON ALCOHOL Volume: 34 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1973) Pages: 423-434
• Author(s): J A DUNNE
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: Rutgers University
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR ALCOHOLICS IN THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE FORCE, ESTABLISHED IN 1966 BY THE POLICE CHAPLAIN, IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE CHRONIC SICK LIST, ACCIDENT, AND DISCIPLINARY RECORDS WERE SEARCHED TO DETECT POLICEMEN WITH DRINKING PROBLEMS. IN THESE CASES, A MEMBER OF THE COUNSELING UNIT, STAFFED BY RECOVERED ALCOHOLIC POLICEMEN, ARRANGED AN INTERVIEW TO OFFER HOSPITALIZATION, IF NECESSARY, AND ALCOHOLICSANONYMOUS-ORIENTED TREATMENT FOR 4 TO 6 WEEKS AT A HALFWAY HOUSE. THIS WAS THEN FOLLOWED BY 90 DAYS OF LIMITED DUTY-NO FIREARMS-WITH THERAPY SESSIONS AND DAILY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS. OF THE MEN WHO ENTERED THE PROGRAM, 75 PERCENT WERE RETURNED TO FULL DUTY. THE UNSUCCESSFUL WERE TRANSFERRED TO PERMANENT LIMITED DUTY AND BECAME ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT FOR PHYSICAL DISABILITY AFTER ONE YEAR. FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEWS REVEALED THAT AMONG THOSE INDIVIDUALS RETURNED TO DUTY, DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS WERE REDUCED TO ZERO AND ALCOHOLRELATED AND OTHER SICKNESS ABSENCES WERE REDUCED BY ABOUT 90 PERCENT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)