“We are thrilled that we have provided such a significant economic savings and service impact to Austin & Travis County in such a short time,”said Sobering Center’s Executive Director, Dr. Rhonda G. Patrick.
From September 2018 to February 2019 the City of Austin and Travis County saved approximately $335,000 in emergency medical services and law enforcement costs with more than 1,000 diversions to The Sobering Center.
Sobering Center Statistics September 2018 – February 2019
Total Number of Clients as of March 4, 2019: 1,026
Total City and County Savings: $335,000
The Center will face its next opportunity to amp up its services starting this Friday with SXSW, set to run March 8-17. The conference is the single most profitable event for the city’s hospitality industry. Visitors to Austin booked 53,000 room nights during last year’s festival.
“We will continue to provide safe sobering for anyone who is under the influence and in need of assistance,” said Patrick. “As we gear up for the city’s largest hospitality event, we are adding more staff both in terms of total numbers and individual shifts, and have created an overflow plan which includes more space for additional patients.”
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Austin Sobering Center · 1213 Sabine Street, 78701 · 512-957-1900
About the Austin Sobering Center: The Austin Sobering Center provides a safe environment for publicly intoxicated individuals to sober up and, when appropriate, initiate recovery. It aims to enhance public health and public safety by providing an alternative to the emergency room and jail.