NCJ Number
93965
Date Published
1982
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A review of all records of the Inebriate Reception Center (IRC), San Diego's diversion and detoxification service, for June 1982 indicated that almost all persons diverted to the IRC were diverted only once or twice and could not be regarded as frequent users of the IRC.
Abstract
The IRC is a low-cost, contractor-operated alcoholism intervention service which allows police to divert persons picked up on public intoxication charges and divert them to the center where they are introduced to the availability of recovery opportunities. This evaluation was conducted in response to law enforcement officers' anecdotal reports that a small number of persons were responsible for most diversions. In June 1982, 2,049 diversions occurred involving 1,637 persons. Only 5 percent of all persons using the IRC accounted for a disproportionate number of diversions, with 92 high-risk individuals requiring 93 diversions. These findings are consistent with a similar study conducted in 1980. The large group of single-incident users -- 88 percent -- demonstrates the efficacy of operating a low-cost diversion program offering access to the intervention and recovery system. Research and local experience suggest that effective intervention with high-risk individuals is problematic, since their lives are touched by numerous other problems. For these persons, IRC provides a brief respite from drinking, an awareness that recovery is achievable, and diversion from jail. Tables are included. For related reports, see NCJ 93964 and 93966.