Social Detoxification Civil Protective Custody Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

The 10 bed Social Detoxification Civil Protective Custody Program offers services to individuals aged 19 and older who are currently intoxicated and deemed a danger to themselves, or others and who are otherwise incapacitated.Additionally, with 24/7 staff including nursing, the Civil Protective Custody (CPC) Program provides medical support in a safe environment during the withdrawal process from alcohol. Although not considered an arrest, CPC is an involuntary program requiring a member of law enforcement to sign the client in at admission.  The program is located in an impoverished neighborhood with nearby access for the homeless and marginalized population.In 1979, Nebraska was one of 12 states to decriminalize public intoxication. With this change, the state developed a legislative statute, which allowed a mental health substance use treatment center to utilize locked rooms to provide civil protective custody. Often times, intoxication and aggression go hand-in-hand.  Although the doors are locked initially for staff and client safety, the Social Detoxification staff developed a program to transition the clients to the least-restrictive environment, which includes unlocked doors.  In August 2019, a three-level zone program was initiated in Civil Protective Custody (CPC) to increase client engagement in services.