A temporary emergency detoxification shelter (TEDS) for Monroe, Carbon and Pike counties was approved recently by the Tri-County Drug and Alcohol Program advisory council.

The council directed D & A specialist Michael Cleveland to start the program around March of next year in the D & A office at 208 Main St., Stroudsburg.

Cleveland said TEDS will relieve Pocono Hospital and local police from having to house alcohol and drug users, a problem that has tied up hospital and law enforcement personnel when they feel they should be attending others.

Cleveland said the TEDS is not a “flop house,” indicating alcohol and drug users will not be able to sleep off their “high,” but will receive counseling and referral service.