DRINKING DRIVER - THE ALCOHOL SAFETY ACTION PROGRAMS

• NCJ Number: 59514
• Author(s): B F LANDSTREET
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 128 pages
• Corporate Author: Charles C. Thomas
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

USING THE EXPERIENCES OF A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT, THE ENFORCEMENT, JUDICIAL, REHABILITATION AND TREATMENT, AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ASPECTS OF A DRUNK DRIVER PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS BOOK FOR PROFESSIONALS.

Abstract

THE MATERIAL PRESENTED IS BASED LARGELY ON THE FINDINGS AND EXPERIENCES DERIVED FROM AN ALCOHOL SAFETY ACTION PROGRAM IN FAIRFAX, VA. APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE ARRESTED 'DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED' (DWI) OFFENDERS IN THE PROGRAM COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS 'SOCIAL DRINKERS,' SOME 30 PERCENT AS HAVING A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL, WITH THE REMAINING 50 PERCENT FALLING BETWEEN THESE TWO GROUPS. ALCOHOL HAS RADICAL EFFECTS ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEM, AND DISEASE STATES EXPAND AS A RESULT OF PERSISTENT ALCOHOL ABUSE. EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH DRINKING PROBLEMS OF DWI OFFENDERS, CAN SAVE THE LIVES OF POTENTIAL VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS. TO MEET THE PROBLEM OF DRINKING AND DRIVING, A SYSTEMATIC AND COORDINATED APPROACH IS ESSENTIAL. THE MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS TO IDENTIFY AND APPREHEND INTOXICATED DRIVERS SO THAT A PROPER SANCTION IS IMPOSED AND A REHABILITATION EFFORT UNDERTAKEN. THE MOST VITAL LINK BETWEEN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED ALCOHOL REHABILITATION TREATMENT RESOURCES IS THE PRETRIAL OR PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION. AT THIS INTAKE PROCESS, OFFENDERS ARE INITIALLY CLASSIFIED BY THEIR LEVEL OF DRINKING. THE REHABILITATION EFFORTS OF THE ALCOHOL SAFETY ACTION PROGRAM ARE INTENDED TO MODIFY DRIVING BEHAVIORS OF THE LESS-THAN-PROBLEM DRINKERS AND TO CHANGE THE BASIC ATTITUDE OF SERIOUS PROBLEM DRINKERS. THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ARM SHOULD ISSUE A STEADY BARRAGE OF MATERIALS TO THE COMMUNITY. BROCHURES SHOULD BE REDEVELOPED AS THE PROGRAM PROGRESSES. THE PLANNING, ORGANIZATION, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF AN ALCOHOL SAFETY PROJECT ARE DISCUSSED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED, ALONG WITH AN INDEX. THE BOOK IS INTENDED FOR POLICE OFFICIALS, TRAINING OFFICERS, PROSECUTORS, JUDGES, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, ALCOHOL COUNSELORS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS. (RCB)