Polk County officials work to open sobering center

Polk County leaders want to open a sobering center for people facing addiction in the metro, Angela Connolly, chairperson of the county board of supervisors, told Axios this week.

Why it matters: It's a place for law enforcement to take people for help rather than to an emergency room or jail.

• Similar centers in other states have been credited with helping reduce homelessness and incarceration rates, while simultaneously saving taxpayer money.

How it works: Sobering centers are designed to integrate social services with physical and mental health assistance.

• Clients are generally at the centers for less than 24 hours, unlike detoxification centers and sober living houses that can provide longer-term residential settings.

The big picture: Sobering centers have been around for decades.

• Criminal justice reform advocacy is helping to drive recent interest in the centers, according to the California Health Care Foundation, which is working to expand programs.

What's next: County officials are working with Broadlawns Medical Center and other partners to identify a location and funding sources, Connolly said. Expect updates in coming months.

• "We are working very hard to make this a reality ASAP," she said.