Intoxicated Persons' Program

The Intoxicated Persons Program is a joint initiative of the Department of Community Services, the Police Department and the Department of Health. The program is designed to provide safe protective accommodation for intoxicated or drug affected homeless men and women identified by the NSW Police.

Homeless persons affected by drugs or alcohol can be referred to the Program or brought to Coimba following an assessment of their health and behaviour.

In the first instance, it is the Police Officers' responsibility to ensure that the intoxicated person's behaviour is such, that they do not pose a threat to Coast Shelter staff.

Following this assessment, the Police will convey the person to the hospital where hospital staff will assess their health status prior to referring them to the Intoxicated Persons' Program at 49 Holden Street Gosford.

If the intoxicated person is considered suitable for accommodation in the Program by both Police and Hospital staff, Coast Shelter will be contacted by telephone to ensure that there is a vacancy and that staff are available.

Coast Shelter staff will offer each client admitted into the Program the opportunity to enter either the Kara Women's Refuge or Coimba Men's Refuge conditional on their agreement to keep the rules of the refuges and involve themselves in case management.