Drunk Tanks to Hold Intoxicated Troublemakers may Debut in Oz

Special cells to hold intoxicated troublemakers until they sober up may come up in Australia as senior police officials are currently considering such a measure.

They even held talks with the Brumby Government this week about the cells, dubbed 'drunk tanks'.

Alcohol Use Disorder | Alcoholism
Alcohol use disorder or alcoholism is an inability to control drinking. It can cause short term and long term physical, as well as psychological effects on the patient.

It is believed that the tanks would be similar to holding cells but with safeguards to protect detainees' health.

The tanks could be modelled on overseas "bed-and-bucket" facilities and security cameras, allowing drunks to be treated and closely monitored.

Police Minister Bob Cameron has confirmed that the issue was raised this week.

Alcoholics can Be Prevented from Relapsing Using a New Drug
A potential drug candidate CP 154,526 has found to block the euphoric feelings associated with drinking, something that may prevent alcoholics from relapsing.

"We've had some preliminary discussions with police about the concept," the Herald Sun quoted his spokeswoman as saying.

According to reports, those arrested for being drunk would be held in the tank until they were deemed to be no threat to themselves or the public.

Sight, Smell or Taste of Alcohol can Trigger Boozing
The mere sight, smell and taste of a person's favorite drink can elicit strong cravings for alcohol, according to a new study led by an Indian-origin researcher.

There is yet no clue as to how the tanks would work, and where they would be located.

However, a spokeswoman said: "Victoria Police is constantly considering options to combat public drunkenness and disorderly behaviour."

Drunk Mice Depressed on Abstinence
It's not just humans who get the blues when they abstain from alcohol, for even mice become depressed and lose brain cells when they stay away from liquor, says a new study.

While police have yet to make a formal submission, Melbourne's CBD or regional centres like Geelong and Ballarat are being seen as the most likely candidates for the first drunk tanks.

Shadow police spokesman Andrew McIntosh fears that drunk tanks may add to the police workload without dealing with the issue of public drunkenness.

"I'd like to know what these things look like and where they are going to locate them," he said.

The discussion with the Government follows the May agreement by police commissioners on a range of measures to deal with drunkenness.

The commissioners said at the time that sobering-up centres should be used as an alternative to filling up police cells.

Source-ANI
RAS/L