Police are taking more drunk people off Canberra's streets and into protective custody to sober up.
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And they're catching more drivers impaired by drugs, but fewer under the influence of alcohol.
The trends were revealed in the latest quarterly ACT criminal justice figures.
The number of people taken to the ACT Watch House for intoxication jumped 22 per cent in the year to September 2016, from 856 to 1044.
Referrals to the Sober Up Shelter rose 16 per cent from 486 to 563.
There was a 26 per cent hike in positive random roadside drug tests, up from 280 to 353, coinciding with 19 per cent more tests undertaken.
The number of random breath tests completed and of those returning positive both dropped by about 15 per cent.
When an intoxicated person is taken to the ACT Watch House for protective custody, police have the option to refer them to the Sobering Up Shelter.
An ACT Policing spokesman said the ACT Watch House was often a last resort if an officer can't find a sober and suitable person to take care of the intoxicated person at the Sober Up Shelter.
"It should be noted that when a person is taken into protective custody, they aren't charged with an offence of being intoxicated," the spokesman said.
"ACT Policing's preference is to divert people away from the protective custody environment of the ACT Watch House and allow them to sober up in an environment that can properly cater to their intoxicated related needs. "
"The 15 per cent increase in referrals to the SUS demonstrates ACT Policing's committed to working with ACT government agencies and community organisations to combat alcohol related misuse."
The spokesman said the proactive and intelligence-based approach to random roadside drug testing resulted in a rise in positive tests.
The criminal justice figures came in the wake of an analysis of ACT Policing data which showed reported assaults had risen by almost 40 per cent since 2014, with most in the city or Belconnen.
An average of one person was assaulted every day in Civic.
The ACT government is progressing a number of liquor reforms after Chief Minister Andrew Barr rejected lockout laws last year. These include six more police for night-time patrols, the right for venues to evict or refuse entry to intoxicated people, an education campaign about the responsible consumption of alcohol and reduced licence fees for smaller venues and restaurants.
A spokeswoman for the Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said the reforms aimed to ensure that Canberrans could enjoy a night out in a safe and vibrant environment.
"The government will implement these reforms and evaluate their impact," she said.
She said the government would then consider the recommendations of a Deakin University report, such as a minimum price per standard drink. The alarming report found intoxicated Canberrans drinking in Civic and Braddon left taxpayers footing a bill of almost $11.7 million in police and court costs in one year.
