Victoria's first dedicated sobering up centre to open

The new approach to drunkenness will see outreach services support people found drunk in public, and if necessary, transporting them to a safe place to sober up, the government has said.

“For many people, this will be their own home or that of a family member, friend, or carer. For others, it will be the sobering centre where they can recover and receive support,” according to a government statement.

At the centre, people will be able to safely rest and sober up and have their health and safety needs addressed.

They will also be able to be connected people to alcohol and other drug treatment and specialist services should they need them.

Cohealth deputy chief executive Christopher Turner has said the government’s new approach will help keep intoxicated people safe and avoid them having unnecessary contact with police.

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“This new service represents a fundamental shift in the way that we as a community respond to public drunkenness, and will save lives, improve people’s health and reduce the burden on police and other emergency services,” he said.

Cohealth has already run a successful trial of the sobering service in the City of Yarra.

“During the trial we found a real cross-section of the community needed the service and we’ll carry that learning to the expanded metro-wide program,” Turner said.

“From disorientated young people who’ve lost their mates late at night to people who’ve had one too many after-work drinks, and people who are homeless and alcohol-affected, our service will be for everyone.”