Santa Cruz Sobering Center serves 1000th client

Janus of Santa Cruz has just serviced its 1000 th client at its alternative to jail center. The facility in Santa Cruz provides a safe place to sober up as an alternative to jail for people arrested for drunk in public offenses to avoid jail time and free up police resources.

Sobering Center Manager Camm Nelson said their first goal was diversion from jail.

“We also have a second goal, and that is supporting clients and connecting them to the services they desperately need,” she said.

“Through diverting these individuals to the Sobering Center instead of jail, it saves officers time and the community money. Officers report a reduction from an average one hour booking time at the jail compared to 5-10 minutes for admission at the Sobering Center.”

The Janus Sobering Center opened in 2015, the first of its kind in Santa Cruz County. People can stay from 5 to 23 hours.

For more information about Janus of Santa Cruz, visit www.janussc.org .