Services that Manage the Care Needs of Drunk - Scottish Government

• Reduced levels of domestic violence and other problems associated with
alcohol abuse and
• Reduced burden on hospitals because of fewer hospitalisations for alcoholrelated
illnesses and accidents.
Acceptability
2.68 A number of Australian reports indicated that sobering-up services are
generally valued and well-accepted by clients and the police 62 as well as by
local communities. 63 However, as mentioned in paragraph 2.12 above, it is
important to actively seek community involvement in the establishment of
these services.
Cost-effectiveness
2.69 Sobering-up services in Australia were also perceived to be cost-effective. For
example, the Drug and Alcohol Office of Western Australia has reported that,
in 2005, the 14 sobering-up services in that state had a combined cost of
$3,547,190 (Australian dollars) – roughly equivalent to £1.5m, using the rate of
exchange for June 2007, when the report was written. This represented an
annual average cost per centre of $253,370 (or £107,452) and an average
$183 (or £77.61) per admission. 64
2.70 This report went on to state that sobering-up services were considered to be
“very cost-effective as they avoid costs that would otherwise be incurred if
people had been detained or admitted to a hospital” (p. A-12).
2.71 However, a report of the evaluation of the pilot shelter in Canberra made the
point that “a sobering-up facility is not a cheap option”. 65 Cost-effectiveness
depends partly on the size of the facility, but it also depends on the facility
being well-used.
Service users’ views
2.72 The evaluation of the pilot sobering service in Canberra, the researchers
carried out telephone interviews with a small number of clients of the service
following their use of the service. Some of the main findings were that:
• Most clients mentioned that the beds were comfortable and that they felt
safe and cared for
• Several indicated that the staff were “professional”, “reassuring” and easy to
talk to
• All clients indicated that their privacy and confidentiality were respected
• Those who mentioned that their alternative would have been police cells,
were very pleased with the shelter
62 Loxley et al, 2004.
63 Brady et al, 2006; Allen-Kelly et al, 2006.
64 Government of Western Australia, 2007.
65 Allen-Kelly et al, 2006.
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