The purpose of the City of Albuquerque’s Medical Sobering Center is to support the development of a first responder and law enforcement diversion program aimed at providing immediate low-barrier access to substance use and related services, while also reducing a growing 9-1-1 emergency response rate. The medical sobering center will serve individuals experiencing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) who have moderate to severe alcohol and/or other drug intoxication, may have survived an overdose, and may be experiencing homelessness. The Medical Sobering Center will be used to (1) divert individuals with moderate acuity intoxication from overcrowded emergency departments and jail to a safe place for monitoring and to sober-up and recover from the effects of acute intoxication; (2) establish a front-door access to services including treatment, recovery supports, case management, recovery housing, and other unmet social needs to ultimately end the cycle of addiction; and (3) reduce morbidity and mortality related to substance misuse/SUD by improving health outcomes and, in turn, reducing the need for emergency response.
