'Desperate need' for detox centres in major cities

"Waking up cold and sweaty in a police cell while coming off drugs or alcohol is a sobering experience, in more ways than one.

Not only for the people being arrested, but for the police officers who have to deal with them regularly.

Detoxification centres where people can sober up or come off drugs safely before appearing in court are desperately needed, says Michelle Dianne Kidd, who works for Lifewise, formerly known as Methodist Mission Northern, at Auckland District Court..."

These facilities used to exist and were known as 'Drunk Tanks'

Where all the drunks and druggies were tossed, to spend the night in their own vomit and piss. A great incentive to those who could and would learn that this was extremely unpleasant and that public drunkenness should be refrained from.

It must be remembered that in order to gain entry to this establishment, you usually had to attract the attention of the constabulary. Wobbling up the street singing might work- depending on what sort of a shift PC Plod had so far had, but loutish and offensive behavior made a trip to the cells near a certainty. A polite and respectful drunk would often be offered the choice of a cell or the city mission but would usually avoid the communal accommodation.

Through a night in a cesspit with the dregs of city life and a refreshing cold shower in the morning, courtesy of a fire hose- one learns that actions have CONSEQUENCES. A lesson that is sadly seldom taught today- until one goes way too far and the consequences are extreme.

Usually for some other poor sod. (Thanks for the reminder about that MK!)