NCJ Number
161029
Journal
Alcohol, Drugs and Driving Volume: 10 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (July-December 1994) Pages: 287-294
Date Published
1994
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a discussion and dialogue regarding education programs for persons arrested for drunk driving and driving under the influence.
Abstract
Estimates of the prevalence of drinking and driving suggest that 15-30 percent of drivers drive impaired at least once during the year and that 1-4 percent of licensed drivers are arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI). DWI education programs aim to reduce drinking and driving events. They are not treatment programs. They usually last for 2-6 weeks and consist of 10-16 hours of classroom time. They focus on first-time offenders. Topics include information on why people drink and drive, the effects of alcohol, consequences of drinking and driving, and how to avoid repeat DWIs. In contrast, treatment programs are supposed to focus on specific modification of drinking behavior. These programs last as long as a year. About 60 percent of people should be referred to treatment programs based on separating out first-time nonserious offenders. Evaluation findings have indicated that remedial programs are only marginally effective. License sanctions appear to be more effective than remediation in reducing alcohol- related crashes; the use of both is better than using one alone. An analysis of current trends indicates increasing interest in treatment matching in both the broader alcohol community and in the DWI treatment community.