NCJ Number
70936
Date Published
Unknown
Length
186 pages
Annotation
The impact of an experiemntal detoxification center established in St. Louis for 'revolving door' chronic alcoholics was significant for law enforcement agencies and the lifestyles of its patients.
Abstract
In October 1966, a 30-bed detoxification center was established within a hospital facility to offer short-term medical treatment and supportive services for skid-row alcoholics picked up by the police in 3 inner city areas. Arrest procedures were revised so that a police officer merely conveyed the public inebriate to the center, completed an admitting form, and returned to patrol assignment. These alcoholics were hospitalized voluntarily for 7 days for medical care, counseling, and help in devising aftercare plans for housing, employment, and rehabilitation. The support of community agencies in improving referrals was solicited through tours and orientation sessions. The impact of the center was determined by analyzing and then comparing reports from the police department, city court, and a medium-security institution (workhouse) for 1966 and 1967. The average time spent by an arresting officer in a drunkenness case decreased by 50 percent, while the number of drunk-on-the-street cases in court declined 34.5 percent. Workhouse data showed similar decreases in commitments and inmate days served by persons convicted of drunkenness charges. Most patients discharged from the center were white males with a median age of 48 years. Only 14 percent were married and living with their families. A followup study of 160 male patients conducted 4 months after discharge found that 50 percent demonstrated significant overall improvement. As part of the project, training sessions gave police officers information on alcoholism and handling the public intoxicant. The appendixes contain police regulations on processing drunken offenders, statistics analyzed in the study, and a description of the treatment regime. The final evaluation report of the project, which concluded that its goals were achieved, is also provided.