NCJ Number
10946
Date Published
Unknown
Length
64 pages
Annotation
SUGGESTED MEANS FOR REMOVING THE SKID ROW DRUNK FROM THE REVOLVING DOOR PROCESS OF PROSECUTION AND JAIL, INTO COMMUNITY HEALTH OR SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.
Abstract
PUBLIC INEBRIATES HAVE TRADITIONALLY ACCOUNTED FOR ONETHIRD TO ONE-HALF OF TOTAL ARRESTS IN MUNICIPALITIES AND HAVE LONG CLOGGED U.S. JAILS AND COURTS. THE INTENT OF THIS HANDBOOK IS TO SUGGEST DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS WHICH WILL NOT ONLY RELIEVE THE BURDEN ON LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT WILL ALSO ENHANCE THE LEGAL, PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL WELLBEING OF THIS VICTIMLESS CRIME OFFENDER. FIVE SPECIFIC TYPES OF SERVICES, EACH FILLING A CONCRETE NEED OF THE SKID ROW INEBRIATE, ARE VIEWED IN TERMS OF THEIR OBJECTIVES, COMPONENTS, REQUIREMENTS, AND IMPLEMENTATION VARIABLES. THE FIRST TWO ARE DIRECTLY DIVERSIONARY IN THAT THEY CAN HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON RELIEVING LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. MEDICAL EVALUATION AND SUBACUTE DETOXIFICATION (MESAD) COMBINE A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONS INCLUDING EMERGENCY PICK-UP, OUT-PATIENT MEDICAL EVALUATION, AND IN-PATIENT TREATMENT. THE SECOND OF THESE IS THE PROVISION OF SHELTER, FOOD, AND CLOTHING NOT ONLY TO INEBRIATES BUT TO HOMELESS MEN AS WELL, THUS ELIMINATING A MAJOR FACTOR LEADING TO ARRESTS. THE THREE OTHER SERVICES DISCUSSED ARE INDIRECTLY DIVERSIONARY AND INCLUDE INTERMEDIATE CARE OFFERING STRUCTURED TREATMENT, COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL LIVING FACILITIES, AND REINFORCEMENT OF TREATMENT THROUGH AFTERCARE SERVICES. GENERAL GUIDELINES ARE PROVIDED FOR MOBILIZING COMMUNITY SUPPORT, SECURING FINANCING, AND TRAINING STAFF PERSONNEL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED). (SNI ABSTRACT)