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DRUNKENNESS IN DES MOINES

NCJ Number
42892
Author(s)
P STAGEBERG; M H PALMER
Date Published
1973
Length
27 pages
Annotation
BASED ON DATA ABOUT DRUNKENNESS ARRESTS IN 1973, THIS REPORT RECOMMENDS USING ALTERNATIVES TO MINIMIZE THE INVOLVEMENT OF INTOXICATED PERSONS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ARRESTS FOR INTOXICATION IN DES MOINES IN 1973 REPRESENTED 37.5 PERCENT OF ALL ARRESTS. DATA FURTHER INDICATED THAT 40-50 CHRONICALLY ARRESTED PUBLIC INTOXICANTS ACCOUNTED FOR MORE THAN 12 PERCENT OF ALL DRUNKENNESS ARRESTS. ARRESTS WERE HEAVIEST AMONG YOUTH AND MIDDLE-AGED PERSONS. THE DATA DOES NOT INDICATE THAT ARRESTS REDUCE FREQUENCY OF CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SYSTEM MAY HAVE BEEN A DETERRENT TO THE LARGE GROUP WHOSE DRINKING APPEARS TO HAVE DECREASED WITH AGE, THE SAME CANNOT BE SAID FOR THE SMALL CHRONIC GROUP. THE DATA FURTHER REVEALS THAT THE GENERAL ARREST RATE INCREASES WITH CLOSENESS TO THE CENTER CITY, WITH YOUTH BEING ARRESTED CONSIDERABLY LESS OFTEN IN THE CENTER CITY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT CHRONIC INTOXICANTS CONGREGATING IN THE CENTER CITY NOT BE PROCESSED THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM, BUT BE EITHER ARRESTED AND RELEASED WHEN SOBER, OR BE PICKED UP BY A PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT DRAIN ITS RESOURCES DEALING WITH CHRONIC ALCOHOLICS, WHO EVIDENCE SOCIO-MEDICO PROBLEMS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF VIABLE ALTERNATIVES IS URGED....RCB