Solving Detox Problem

Unlike more enlightened neighboring counties that have properly viewed public drunks as social and medical problems, Orange County has treated them as criminals to cite and sometimes arrest rather than treat and rehabilitate.

The approach is medically unsound, socially insensitive and economically unwise.

But a new effort, initiated by the city managers in Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, could finally bring about what no one community in Orange County thus far has seemed interested in providing: the county’s first detoxification program for people picked up under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The new approach envisions a decentralized program, operated and funded by the county and all its cities, utilizing existing hospital and clinic beds. Converting existing but unused hospital beds for detoxification treatment could also help reduce hospital costs that result from empty beds.

The financing and format must still be determined, but the initial proposal calls for the cities and county to form a joint powers authority that would raise funds from members on a per-capita basis. The money would support nonprofit sobering-up stations.

The need for some kind of jail diversion program for public drunks has been evident for years. Health officials, the sheriff, grand juries and community leaders have all urged creation of detoxification centers. And more than two years ago, after Sheriff-Coroner Brad Gates stopped accepting street drunks at the overcrowded County Jail, the Board of Supervisors ordered a staff study to iron out the details for a detoxification center.

The county has done nothing since. And, although virtually everyone acknowledges the need for the centers, many oppose locating them in their community.

The new proposal is due for consideration at the League of California Cities, Orange County Division, meeting Nov. 17. Its appeal is that by taking a decentralized approach all areas can be served without locating a major detoxification center in any one community.

The plan deserves support. The thousands of people picked up each year as public drunks do not belong in jail. Nor should their medical problem continue to be neglected. They need care and counseling. Detoxification centers are the logical and urgent answer. The joint program should help make them politically palatable.