Public Intoxication: Sobering Centers as an Alternative to Incarceration, Houston, 2010-2017.

Jarvis, Suzanne V; Kincaid, Leonard; Weltge, Arlo F; Lee, Mike; Basinger, Scott F · Am J Public Health · 2019

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Abstract

In 2010, the Houston police department admitted 20 508 publicly intoxicated individuals into its jail. To address jail overcrowding, the city created a jail diversion policy that allowed law enforcement to admit publicly intoxicated individuals into a new sobering center. By 2017, public intoxication jail admissions had decreased by 95%, freeing valuable resources. A promising public health intervention, sobering centers offer an alternative to incarceration and relieve overuse of emergency services while assisting individuals with substance use issues.

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