San Diego's 'Serial Inebriate' Program June 10, 2003
News Summary
A man who has been arrested 250 times over the past 15 years for drinking-related violations was among the 12 homeless individuals who recently completed San Diego's Serial Inebriate Program, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported June 5.The six-month alcohol treatment program is offered in lieu of six months in jail. The graduates were honored for staying sober and finding jobs and apartments for the first time in decades.
Graduate Vincent Nalley said it was a matter of changing his thinking. "I thought it would take something miraculous or complicated to get out of what I was in," said Nalley, who was arrested more than 250 times around the country. "I wasn't willing to do the work."
Today, thanks to the Serial Inebriate Program, Nalley has been sober for a year and recently earned his computer-technology certification.
The Serial Inebriate Program started as a pilot in January 2000 after Officers John Liening and Juan Cephas of the San Diego Police Department contacted the county's Alcohol and Drug Services division to try a different approach to deal with chronic alcoholics.
"People were dying left and right on the street," said Liening. "Some people would go to the hospital emergency room 10 times a week, 10 times a weekend. They would get drunk, fall down, the paramedics would take them to the ER. Paramedics were sick of dealing with them."
Michelle Berkman said she made the right decision in choosing treatment. "I made the choice, and I made the right decision," she said. "If I'd done the year (in prison), I'd be back in there. I'd been on the streets off and on since age 13. I have come a long way."
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