(a) It is the policy of this state that intoxicated persons should be afforded a continuum of treatment so they might lead normal lives as productive members of society.
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 33-10-403

  • Alcohol abuse: means a condition characterized by the continuous or episodic use of alcohol that results in social impairment, vocational impairment, psychological dependence or pathological patterns of use. See Tennessee Code 33-10-102
  • Alcoholism: means alcohol abuse that results in the development of tolerance or manifestation of alcohol abstinence syndrome upon cessation of use. See Tennessee Code 33-10-102
  • Incapacitated by alcohol: means that a person, as a result of the use of alcohol, is unconscious or that the person's judgment is otherwise so impaired that the person is incapable of realizing and making a rational decision with respect to the person's need for treatment, is unable to take care of the person's basic personal needs or safety or lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate rational decisions concerning the person's welfare. See Tennessee Code 33-10-404
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Treatment: means the broad range of emergency, outpatient, intermediate and inpatient services and care, including diagnostic evaluation, medical, psychiatric, psychological care or social service care, or both, vocational rehabilitation or career counseling, or both, that may be extended to alcoholics and intoxicated persons. See Tennessee Code 33-10-404
(b) The general assembly finds that alcoholism and intoxication are matters of statewide concern.
(c) The general assembly recognizes the character and pervasiveness of alcohol abuse and alcoholism and that public intoxication and alcoholism are health problems that should be handled by public health rather than criminal procedures, when proper facilities, procedures and services as defined and set forth in this part are available.
(d) The general assembly finds that this health problem has been seriously neglected and that the costs and the waste of human resources caused by alcohol abuse and alcoholism are massive, tragic and no longer acceptable.
(e) The general assembly finds that the best interests of this state demand a locally-oriented attack on the massive alcohol abuse and alcoholism problem.
(f) The general assembly finds that the handling of intoxicated persons as criminals contributes to jail overcrowding and the consumption of resources needed for the handling of more serious and violent matters.
(g) The general assembly finds that there is a need for alternative programs in this state for the detention and treatment of persons intoxicated or incapacitated by alcohol.
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