The Sobering Alternative for Recovery Center, a low-barrier stabilization site in Tucson that opened in January and is funded by the One Arizona Opioid Settlement, has shown early success in its pilot program. According to a report by the University of Arizona’s RISE team, the center served 138 individuals in its first three months, with 96 percent receiving referrals to extended treatment upon discharge.
Program Design and Outcomes
The SAFR Center is unique among sobering facilities—it is a 15-bed, extended-stay center that allows individuals to stay for up to 96 hours, something no other similar center in the county offers. The goal of the pilot program is to test whether that extended stay is successful while also reducing the burden on law enforcement and healthcare systems. Research found that a majority of those served presented with complex behavioral health, substance use, and social needs, including high rates of homelessness and unemployment.
According to Laurel Jacobs of the University of Arizona’s RISE team, “People aren’t just walking through the door, they’re also leaving with connections to the care that they want and need in a more ongoing manner.” Early data shows the program is working to decrease the burden on other entities when patients go to the SAFR Center instead of jail or the emergency room.
Next Steps
The research team identified areas for improvement, including continuing to fill staff vacancies, enhancing access to transportation to the center, and strengthening documentation to better track outcomes. Brian Eller, an addiction specialist with the Pima County Health Department, emphasized that more data is needed to fully understand the reduction of burden on law enforcement and hospitals. The University of Arizona’s RISE team plans to continue studies on the program’s success as it continues.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.kold.com/2026/05/11/pima-county-receives-update-rehabilitation-facility/