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Starting with methamphetamine addicts, Bernalillo County has made its first move toward creating a social services safety net program for people coming out of jail.

The Meth Team started taking clients June 18 and provided them with services they need to stay sober, employed and mentally and physically healthy.

County officials say the team also aims to start education programs in schools, community centers and other venues.

The team is the beginning of the county's hope to reduce the number of people returning to jail for addiction-driven crimes and to help stabilize affected families.

In the first month, the Meth Team's two case workers have enrolled about 25 clients. Face-to-face visits — on a daily basis and sometimes more often — ensure the clients have access to the services they need, officials say.

Team director Deb Benalli said that before the team started work, methamphetamine addicts coming out of jail were often on their own in the environment from which they came.

Addicts are referred to the team by Metro Detention Center staff, other community service groups or by self-referral. They are then linked with alternative housing arrangements or a job, "whatever they need," Benalli said.

And the commitment is long term.

"It's pretty intensive," Benalli said.

Benalli said she plans to hire a third case worker.

With that person on board, she says her team can handle 40 clients, though that's just a fraction of the number of addicts who could benefit from the services, she said.

John Dantis, the county's public safety director, estimates about 6,500 people booked into jail each year have some connection with methamphetamine.

The county and city on July 27 joined together with the Mid-Region Council of Governments to create a study group about methamphetamine problems and solutions.

Over the next nine months, the group will come up with a list of ideas on prevention and treatment for action by the Legislature.