SPIRO T. AGNEW, Governor                        185

Code of Maryland (1967 Replacement Volume), title "Crimes and
Punishments," subtitle "Drunkenness and Disorderly Conduct,"
to eliminate the offense of "found drunk" therein and the habitual
offender penalty in connection therewith; and relating generally
to alcoholism and the offense of intoxication in the State.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Article 2C of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edition
and 1967 Supplement), title "Alcoholism," be and it is hereby re-
pealed in its entirety and a new Article 2C, title "Alcoholism," is
hereby enacted in lieu thereof, to stand in its place, and to read as
follows:

101.

This subtitle shall be known and cited as the "Comprehensive
Intoxication and Alcoholism Control Act."

FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF PURPOSES

102.

(a)   The Legislature finds and declares:

(b)  Dealing with public inebriates as criminals has proved ex-
pensive, burdensome, and futile. The criminal law is ineffective to
deter intoxication and to deal with what are basically major prob-
lems of human inadequacy and chronic alcoholism;

(c)  Removal of public intoxication from the criminal system and
establishment of a modern public health program for the detoxifica-
tion of inebriates facilitate (1) early detection and prevention of
alcoholism and effective treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics,
(2) diagnosis and treatment of other disease, and (3) uncovering
and providing assistance with other personal problems related to
excessive drinking. Handling of chronic inebriates through public
health and other rehabilitative procedures relieves the police, cor-
rectional institutions, other law enforcement agencies and the courts
of an onerous and inappropriate burden that undermines their
ability to protect citizens, apprehend law violators, maintain safe
and orderly streets and administer justice;

(d)  Chronic alcoholism is an illness that is properly treated under
public health, welfare, and rehabilitation procedures;

(e)   Voluntary treatment for alcoholism is more appropriate than
involuntary treatment. Civil commitment should be used only where
an alcoholic is in immediate danger of serious harm or if he presents
a substantial danger to other persons;

(f)   To control public intoxication and chronic alcoholism requires
a major commitment of effort and resources by both public and
private segments of the State. An effective response to these prob-
lems must include a continuum of detoxification, in-patient, and
out-patient programs, and supportive health, welfare, and rehabili-
tation services, coordinated with and integrated into a comprehen-
sive health plan that covers all the State's citizens;

(g)   There shall be established and maintained a comprehensive
program for the control of drunkenness and the prevention and
treatment of alcoholism throughout Maryland; by partnership action
between the State and its subdivisions;