Located in the City of Escondido
Escondido Community Sobering Services (ECSS) is a crisis intervention, 32 bed residential sobering/stabilization program.  ECSS was formed by the collaboration of the Escondido Police Department and City staff, community non-profit agencies, and private citizens.  The program is an alternative to jail for multi-problem individuals who come to the attention of the Escondido Police due to the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  The program also serves such individuals who are uninsured who come to the attention of local hospitals, health programs, community service organizations, local businesses, and others throughout the community.

In addition to being an alternative to incarceration and a safe place for individuals to detoxify in a non-medical environment, ECSS is also intended as an effective crime prevention program.  A widely published 1997 research study by the Center of Addiction at Columbia University revealed that over 80% of individuals in prisons and jails have alcohol/drug related offenses.  Without recovery, the majority of these individuals continue to recidivate, committing crimes upon release and endangering society, at a tremendous cost to taxpayers.   ECSS addresses this by assisting individuals to solve alcohol/drug problems and become productive members of society.

ECSS is operated by Interfaith through a contract with the City of Escondido and a Federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Social Model Detoxification
ECSS provides a safe, supportive environment where individuals can withdraw from the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs.  ECSS works closely with Palomar Medical Center to address acute medical problems that may arise.  Services include:

• Detoxification
• Needs Assessment
• Referral Management
• Food
• Shelter
• Transportation

Stabilization
An onsite 22-bed stabilization/short-term recovery component attempts to interrupt the destructive downward spiral of addiction and other accompanying problems for homeless individuals.  Those admitted to the program undergo a thorough needs assessment, are stabilized, case managed, and linked to appropriate community resources.  Stabilization services consist of:

• Thorough needs assessment
• Case management
• Linkage with appropriate community resources
• Transitional housing
• Alcohol/Drug education
• HIV Counseling and education
• Individual counseling
• Group counseling
• AA and referral support
• Food
• Transportation
• Recovery planning

Brenda A. came to ECSS with an almost lifelong addiction to heroin. She had been on the streets of and on for many years when she wasn't incarcerated in jail or in prison. Her parole office voted her most likely not to succeed, much to Brenda's dismay. After spending 6 months in recovery here, her parole officer asked her to speak at a PAC.T meeting to give hope to other parolees. With Brenda's past being what it was, the parole officer wanted her to show the others that it can be done. Brenda is working full time and she has been clean and sober for 1 year now and continues to live life on life's terms. Brenda is healthy and happy with who she is today.

Jerry Nava
Sobering Services Director
401 North Spruce Street
Escondido CA 92025
P. (760) 747-1553
F. (760) 747-0764
jnava@interfaithservices.org