Allen takes a shot at sobriety

Greg Risling

Mark David Allen, who accumulated more than 100 alcohol-related arrests

in Newport Beach, was released from Orange County Jail and admitted into

a rehabilitation program Tuesday.

The 38-year-old transient was enrolled into a program sponsored by the

Salvation Army. Allen will live at the Anaheim facility, where he will

attend counseling sessions and work in the organization’s warehouse.

The program is designed to bring sobriety to residents, but it is

voluntary and people can leave at any point during treatment, said Mike

Russell, director of rehabilitative services.

“The people who don’t quit and stay here a couple of months do get

motivated,” he said. “Some people come here to satisfy court requirements

and some really want to get clean. The first 30 to 60 days is crucial to

success.”

Allen has been a familiar face on the Balboa Peninsula. Since 1985, he

has been arrested by Newport Beach police 106 times, mainly for

alcohol-related incidents. He pleaded guilty last week to four counts of

public drunkenness and was released into the care of Salvation Army

staffers. He must complete the program or return to jail.

Dave Sperling, who shot a documentary film about Allen’s notoriety, had a

chance to talk with him upon his release Tuesday. He said Allen appeared

upbeat and coherent but was wary of his promises to stay sober.

“He was delighted to be out, but I don’t think he got a full grasp of

where he was going,” said Sperling, who said he taped their conversation

so he could update his film, which he hopes will be selected for

Newport’s film festival next month. “He was saying some good things but

maybe he thinks it’s what people want to hear. The place he’s entering is

the type of place he can make it.”