396

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

"DIRECTOR" MEANS THE DIRECTOR OF ALCOHOLISM CONTROL.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This subsection is new language added
to avoid repetition of the full title "Director
of Alcoholism Control".

REVISOR'S NOTE TO SECTION: Former Article 2C, § 103(a),
which defined "Department", is deleted, as
unnecessary in light of the definition of that
term in § 1-101 of this article.

8-102. FINDINGS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT:

(1)  DEALING WITH PUBLICLY INTOXICATED
INDIVIDUALS AS CRIMINALS IS EXPENSIVE, BURDENSOME, AND
FUTILE, SINCE THE CRIMINAL LAW NEITHER DETERS INTOXICATION
NOR DEALS WITH THE BASES OF INTOXICATION, WHICH ARE MAJOR
PROBLEMS OF HUMAN INADEQUACY AND CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM;

(2)  REMOVING PUBLICLY INTOXICATED INDIVIDUALS
FROM THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM AND ESTABLISHING A MODERN PUBLIC
HEALTH PROGRAM FOR DETOXIFICATION OF INTOXICATED INDIVIDUALS
FACILITATE:

(I)  PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF
ALCOHOLISM;

(II)  EFFECTIVE TREATMENT AND
REHABILITATION OF ALCOHOLICS;

(III)  DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF OTHER
DISEASES; AND

(IV)  DETECTION OF AND PROVISION OF HELP
WITH OTHER PERSONAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE RELATED TO ALCOHOLISM;

(3)  HANDLING CHRONIC ALCOHOLICS THROUGH PUBLIC
HEALTH, WELFARE, AND REHABILITATIVE PROCEDURES RELIEVES THE
POLICE, CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, AND COURTS OF AN ONEROUS AND INAPPROPRIATE BURDEN
THAT UNDERMINES THEIR ABILITY TO PROTECT CITIZENS, APPREHEND
LAW VIOLATORS, KEEP SAFE AND ORDERLY STREETS, AND ADMINISTER
JUSTICE:

(4)  CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM IS AN ILLNESS THAT IS
TREATED PROPERLY THROUGH PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE, AND
REHABILITATION PROCEDURES;

(5)  CONTROLLING PUBLIC INTOXICATION AND CHRONIC
ALCOHOLISM:

(I) REQUIRES A MAJOR COMMITMENT OF EFFORT
AND RESOURCES BY BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SEGMENTS OF THIS
STATE; AND