Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (08/28 /2017 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: SUBSTANCE ABUSE IMPAIRMENT
Index as: Addictions Receiving Facility (ARF) PEMHS
Alcohol Addiction Pinellas Enrichment Mental Health Services (PEMHS )
Drug Addiction Service Provider
Emergency Admission Substance Abuse Impaired
Impaired Substance Abuse Services
Involuntary Admission Voluntary Admission
Marchman Act
Accreditation Standards: 1.2.6
Cross Reference: G.O. II-42, Use of Force
Florida State Statutes, Chapter 397
Replaces : I.O. V.5:2, Substance Abuse Impairment (May 23, 2008)
This Order consists of the following Sections:
I. Definitions
II. Admission Criteria
III. Voluntary Admissions
IV. Involuntary Admissions
V. Service Providers - Adult and Juvenile
VI. Emergency Admissions by Others
VII. Criminal Acts
VIII. Use of Force and Immunity from Liability
IX. Reporting Requirements
I. DEFINITIONS
A. Addictions Receiving Facility (ARF ) – A secure, State -licensed facility, designated by the State to receive, screen,
and assess clients found to be substance abuse impaired, in need of emergency treatment for substance abuse impairment,
or impaired by subs tance abuse to such an extent so as to meet the criteria for involuntary admission.
B. Impaired or Substance Abuse I mpaired – A condition involving the use of alcoholic beverages or any psychoactive
or mood -altering substance in such a manner as to induce me ntal, emotional, or physical problems and cause socially
dysfunctional behavior.
C. Service Provider – A public agency, a private for profit or not -for-profit agency, a person who is a licensed private
practitioner or a hospital which provides services under Chapter 397, including services provided as an addiction receiving
facility or a detoxification facility.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately V.5:02
Distribution: All Employees
Instructional Order V.5: 02
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (08/28/2017 ) II. ADMISSION CRITERIA
A. A person, regardless of age, who wishes to enter treatment for substance abuse may apply to a service provider
for voluntary admission.
B. A person meets the criteria for involuntary admission if there is a good faith reason to believe the person is
substance abuse impaired and, because of such impairment, has lost the power of self -control with respect to substance
use; and either:
1. Has inflicte d or threatened or attempted to inflict, or unless admitted is likely to inflict, physical harm on
themselves self or another; or
2. Is in need of substance abuse services and, by reason of substance abuse, their judgment has been so impaired
that the person is incapable of appreciating their need for such services and of making a rational decision in regard thereto;
however, mere refusal to receive such services does not constitute evidence of lack of judgment wit h respect to his/her
need for such services.
C. Persons in need of immediate medical treatment, in addition to those services provided by an Addictions Receiving
Facility (ARF), shall be taken to the nearest hospital.
III. VOLUNTARY ADMISSIONS
A person in circumstances which justify protective custody may consent to be assisted by an Officer to their home, to a
hospi tal or to an ARF whichever the O fficer determines is most appropriate.
IV. INVOLUNTARY ADMISSIONS
A. A law enforcement Officer may implement protective custody measures when a person, regardless of age, appears
to meet the involuntary admission criteria and is either :
1. In a public place; or
2. Brought to their attention, including within a person's own residence.
B. If the person in circumstances which justify protective custody fails or refuses to consent to assistance, and the
Officer has determined that an ARF is the most appropriate place for the person, the Officer may, after giving due
consideration to the expre ssed wishes of the person:
1. If the person is an adult:
a. Take the person to an ARF against the person’s will but without using unreasonable force; or
b. If no space is available in an ARF, they may be taken to the Pinellas County Jail
1) The nearest relative of an adult taken into protective custody must be notified by the law enforcement
Officer who took the person into custody, unless the adult requests that no notification be made.
2. If the person is a juvenile:
a. The nearest relative or guardian of a minor taken into protective custody must be notified by the law
enforcement officer who took the person into custody.
b. The Officer may then determine, with the consent of the relative or the guardian, whether the juveni le will
be turned over to their custody or if they should be taken to the most appropriate facility.
V. SERVICE PROVIDERS – ADULT and JUVENILE
A. Adults
1. Prior to transport, the ARF must be contacted (via Echo or Foxtrot) to determine if space is available. (See
Attachment A.)
Instructional Order V.5: 02
Revisions or additions are highlighted 3 (08/28/2017 ) 2. When beds are unavailable at an ARF, the Pinellas County Jail will accept adults for prote ctive custody as
outlined in