Intoxicated People

Question 1

What is the procedure for dealing with intoxicated people?

Answer 1

Option 1: Take person to their home unless:

• address not obtainable
• note safe
• impractical

Option 2: Take to temporary shelter:
- unless closed or (in most cases) not available

Option 3: Take to a police station for up to 12hrs to sober up

Question 2

Under what circumstances can you take an intoxicated person to a police station?

Answer 2

The person is incapable of protecting themselves from physical harm.

Likely to cause physical harm to a person.

Likely to cause significant damage to any property.

Question 3

What rights does an intoxicated person have?

Answer 3

Must be given their rights (they’re being detained)

If detained at a Police station, can make one call.

Released as soon as sober.
If the person is still intoxicated after 12hrs, medical practitioner must recommend the person be further detained for a period not exceeding 12hrs.

Question 4

How should you deal with children or young person whom you find intoxicated?

Answer 4

Where people under 17 are found intoxicated, the same provisions of the Policing Act 2008 apply.

Any concerns for C/YP should be directed to the Youth Aid Office.

Question 5

What do you look for when assessing intoxication?

Answer 5

Speech:
Are they coherent, becoming loud/inappropriate or slurring/unintelligible?

Co-ordination:
Are the coordinated, swaggering or stumbling/unable to stand?

Appearance:
Tidy/alert, vacant expression/smelling of alcohol or bloodshot eyes, dishevelled.

Behaviour:
Sensible (maybe more relaxed), overly friendly/withdrawn or seriously inappropriate?

Question 6

Define the different levels of intoxication:

Answer 6

SOBER:
Monitor and serve responsibly

INFLUENCED:
Intervene

INTOXICATED:
Deny and remove