About Us:

In 2012, a small group of community leaders met to discuss finding a solution for a gap in services both to the community and for individuals in the community.

On April 15, 2016 this collaboration came to fruition with the opening of the Grants Pass Sobering Center.

GPSC provides sobering services for Grants Pass and outlying areas with an average of 5 people served each day.

Our two main objectives at GPSC are to ensure the safety of the people we are caring for and through discharge planning, to provide assistance for re-entry into the community as sober and productive citizens.

This assistance is accomplished by identifying the primary barrier to healthy living and through networking and referral, eliminating that barrier.

Sobering Services:

The Grants Pass Sobering Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 agency providing valuable services for a healthy Josephine County community. GPSC operates under ORS 430.399 amended by HB 2936. The Sobering Center uses policies adapted from other sobering facilities and approved by its Medical Director.

GPSC accommodates 12 individuals at a time, enrolling up to 160 people/month. This public safety service minimizes the harm an intoxicated individual may cause to themselves or others, while preserving resources such as law enforcement time, jail beds and emergency room services and bed space. For many, this is a window of opportunity to acknowledge their issue, become willing to seek help and learn about resources for recovery.

Evidence shows that people in the early stages of change respond positively when the professionals introducing them to the changes they need to live healthier lifestyles are their peers. In 202, GPSC began offering peer support services.

The Process:

Referrals – GPSC takes referrals from anyone. The Grants Pass Public Safety Department is our primary referral source. To date, we have also taken referrals from Options, Ontrack Inc., Choices Counseling Center, the Dept. of Corrections (Probation/Parole), Three Rivers Medical Center, Oregon State Police and people who are impaired and wanting to refer themselves.

Admits – When admitting a referral to the facility our staff measures vital signs, blood alcohol level, and may perform urinalysis tests. The individual’s property is recorded and stored and a metal detection is performed. Once lodged, impaired individuals may stay up to 24 hours. At times, GPSC works with Options and the ER to insure safety from suicide risk.

Discharges –  Discharge Planning is a priority for GPSC. An exit interview helps us identify an individual’s primary barrier which we then, through networking and referral, help them to eliminate. To date, GPSC has assisted people in securing medical detox services, residential and outpatient A&D counseling, mental health services, independent living arrangements, placement in the Job Corps and temporary housing arrangements.