OPINION: Sheriff's new detox plan
El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa obviously cares a great deal about his community. Monday, he stepped forward with an innovative plan to help solve the dilemma of our region's missing drunk tank.
The area's only public detox center, run by Pikes Peak Behavioral health, closed Feb. 1 for budgetary reasons. Since the closing was announced last year, the community and the region have struggled to find another way to provide for the dangerously or chronically drunk, who end up in emergency rooms in the absence of a detox facility.
Maketa, who could have easily chosen to ignore the problem, instead has offered to house drunks in a portion of one of two temporary structures he's building with money his department receives from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement for jailing illegal immigrants suspected of crimes. His staff, adept at dealing with intoxicated suspects and inmates, would help run the program. However, he said it would also require a widespread community effort with help from a variety of agencies.
The plan, like most, isn't perfect. Some initial concerns involve the potential resistance by homeless individuals to seek help from an operation associated with law enforcement and the jail. Some have warrants and past convictions, so they might avoid a sheriff's facility. Another concern involves the ability of the Sheriff's Office to properly bill insurance when necessary.
Despite obvious bugs that must be worked out, the plan appears to make sense and the sheriff seems motivated to make it work. Congratulations to Sheriff Maketa for his willingness to take on a new responsibility, and for his innovative thinking.
