NCJ Number
12055
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 40 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1973) Pages: 38-39
Date Published
1973
Length
0 pages
Annotation
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA OFFICERS HAD MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD AN ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION PROGRAM AFTER ONE YEAR'S EXPOSURE TO IT.
Abstract
IN SEPTEMBER 1970, THE OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT BEGAN A PILOT STUDY IN THE DETOXIFICATION OF PERSONS FOUND IN PUBLIC UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. IN JUNE 1971 OFFICERS WERE ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRES AND FIFTEEN MONTHS LATER THESE QUESTIONNAIRES WERE ADMINISTERED AGAIN. WITH OVER A YEAR OF EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH ARRESTEES, A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN ATTITUDE WAS FOUND. IN ADDITION TO FAVORING THE DETOXIFICATION STRATEGY OVER BOOKING, AND FINDING THAT CITIZENS ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS WERE MORE RECEPTIVE TOWARD THE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAM, OFFICERS INCREASED THEIR ESTIMATES OF THE BENEFIT OF THE PROGRAM. HOWEVER, SOME INITIAL MISGIVINGS WERE REINFORCED. AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM, CONCERN WITH BRIEF CONFINEMENT OF PUBLIC INEBRIATES HAD INCREASED. INCLUDED IN THIS PAPER ARE THE STATISTICAL RESULTS OF THE ATTITUDE SURVEY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)