Jyväskylä sobriety station opens 24/7 for WRC rally weekend

The sobriety station in Jyväskylä will operate around the clock during this weekend’s WRC rally, according to a report by Yle, as large public events typically double its visitor numbers.

Located in the Kyllö district, the facility provides a safe, supervised space for intoxicated adults over 18. Staff numbers will be slightly increased, and assistance will be available in English to accommodate international visitors.

Service manager Timo Utriainen of the Central Finland wellbeing services county said demand for extended hours is clear, with police also requesting the measure. Summer events draw crowds to Jyväskylä, and heavy drinking often spreads beyond event venues.

The station’s busiest period is the July–August holiday season, when alcohol and drug use peaks. Last year, it recorded roughly 1,000 visits.

Most clients are men aged 40–50, often found unconscious in public spaces like parks or shopping centres and brought in by police. Others arrive independently or with friends. Entry is low-threshold, but disruptive behaviour is not permitted.

The facility has three rooms: the primary room for severely intoxicated or unconscious individuals, equipped with floor mattresses, pillows, and blankets; a second room with two beds reserved for women; and a third with three beds for those in better condition. Staff monitor clients regularly but do not provide medical treatment or administer alcohol tests.

The service is free, though staff may offer guidance if clients are receptive. The station has operated since 2019.