PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF A DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMME FOR DRINKING DRIVERS (FROM DIVERSION PROGRAMME FOR DRINKING DRIVERS - PROCEEDINGS OF A SEMINAR, 1977 - SEE NCJ-49618)

• NCJ Number: 49619
• Author(s): M F FARQUHAR
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Sydney University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN ALCOHOLIC TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR DRIVERS ARRESTED WHILE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL ARE SPELLED OUT. FULL COOPERATION OF BOTH COURTS AND COMMUNITY IS CALLED THE KEYSTONE.

Abstract

WHEN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, PLANNED A DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM FOR DRINKING DRIVERS, THE COMMITTEE EXAMINED PROGRAMS IN OTHER COUNTRIES -- PARTICULARLY THE 34 STATE PROGRAMS OPERATING ALCOHOL SAFETY ACTION PROGRAMS (ASAP) IN THE UNITED STATES. THE VARYING LEVELS OF SUCCESS IN THESE STATE PROGRAMS WERE ATTRIBUTED TO THREE FACTORS: COMMUNITY COOPERATION, JUDICIAL COOPERATION, AND A WILLINGNESS TO RECOGNIZE THAT RESULTS WILL TAKE A FAIRLY LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE ALSO CONCLUDED THAT A SMALL MINORITY OF DRIVERS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF DEATHS. GIVEN THE LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF PROBATION OFFICERS AND TREATMENT STAFF, IT WAS DECIDED TO FOCUS ON DRIVERS HAVING A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION OF 0.15 OR ABOVE AND THOSE WITH AT LEAST 1 PRIOR CONVICTION FOR A DRINKING WHILE DRIVING OFFENSE. IT WAS ALSO DECIDED THAT A GUILTY PLEA OR A FINDING OF GUILT SHOULD PRECEDE ANY FURTHER COURT ACTION AND THAT THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE VOLUNTARY. THE U.S. EXPERIENCE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT SHOULD BE SEPARATED. THE PROBATION OFFICER PROVIDES LIAISON WITH PROSECUTION AND DEFENDANTS, ARRANGES FOR ASSESSMENT, SUPERVISES LIAISON WITH TREATMENT AGENCIES, AND PREPARES A PRESENTENCE REPORT FOR THE COURT. ASSESSMENT IS DONE IN A CLINIC THROUGH A MEDICAL EXAMINATION. THE PARTICIPANT IS DIRECTED TO ONE OF THREE TREATMENT STREAMS BASED ON EDUCATION, THERAPY, AND BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. THE TREATMENT CLINICS ARE SEPARATED FROM THE ASSESSMENT. THE MOTOR TRAFFIC ACT OF NEW SOUTH WALES ALREADY CONTAINED PROVISIONS FOR SPECIAL BAIL CONDITIONS IN DRIVING/DRINKING OFFENSES. THESE PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN USED TO IMPLEMENT THE ALCOHOL DIVERSION PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN LATE 1975. AT THE TIME OF THIS SEMINAR IT HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR 18 MONTHS. EVALUATIONS WERE PLANNED FOR 24 MONTHS AND 36 MONTHS. (GLR)