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Calgary Drop-In centre braces for up to $600K in cuts

The Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre, which serves many of Calgary's down and out, could face up to $600,000 in budget cuts April 1.

Staff at Calgary's Drop-In Centre are bracing for huge cuts to their budget come April 1.

Executive director Debbie Newman says the cuts — pegged at almost $600,000 — came as a shock when she learned about them last week.

Newman says she she's still holding out hope the province can find the money elsewhere.

Alberta Human Services Minister Dave Hancock was not immediately available to comment on the cuts.

Calgary police are concerned about what impacts the cuts will have on the service, says Supt. Insp. Richard Hinse.

Hinse says that in 2006 police transported and dealt with 1,700 people who were intoxicated. In 2011 they dealt with fewer than 400.

“So, really a huge decrease, because of the partnerships and the folks in the community.”

The difference is that now if police get an intoxication call they often call in the Drop-In or the Alpha House and people are dealt with in the community rather than in a cell, says Hinse.

“There’s no criminal offense in being intoxicated, so you really shouldn’t go to jail,” he said.