A Des Moines center for substance abuse and mental health treatment has admitted over 30 people since opening last month, exceeding operators’ expectations.
Why it matters: Until recently, metro law enforcement had few places to take people facing addiction for help other than emergency rooms or jails.
- Polk County supervisors and other metro officials modeled the location on “sobering centers” in other states credited with saving taxpayer money and reducing homelessness.
Zoom in: Two connected buildings previously used for human services in the 1900 block of Carpenter Avenue are part of a $5 million renovation that began about a year ago.
- The Life Services Center side opened Nov. 18 and provides substance abuse and mental health treatment.
- The other side, with an immigrant and refugee center, is expected to be completed in about a year.
State……