METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN THE EVALUATION OF THE DRINK-DRIVER PROGRAMME (FROM DIVERSION PROGRAMME FOR DRINKING DRIVERS - PROCEEDING OF A SEMINAR, 1977 - SEE NCJ-49618)

• NCJ Number: 49621
• Author(s): A J SUTTON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Sydney University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

THE PROBLEMS OF FINDING SUITABLE CRITERIA TO EVALUATE A DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM FOR DRINKING DRIVERS ARE LISTED. SEVERAL CRITERA ARE SUGGESTED INCLUDING RECIDIVISM, BEHAVIOR CHANGE OF PARTICIPANTS, AND PROGRAM OPERATION.

Abstract

THE DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM FOR DEALING WITH THE OFFENSE OF DRUNK DRIVING IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, HAS TWO GOALS: TO DEFINE THE DEGREE OF THE DRINKING PROBLEM IN A DRIVER ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING, AND TO REMOVE THE POSSIBILITY OF HIS DRIVING AGAIN AFTER DRINKING HEAVILY. THE FIRST GOAL CONCERNS HEALTH AND THE SECOND THE CRIMINAL OR DANGEROUS ASPECTS OF DRUNK DRIVING. THREE PROGRAM AREAS SHOULD BE TESTED: THE ABILITY OF THE PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY PERSONS WITH DRINKING PROBLEMS, THE REDUCTION OR REMOVAL OF THE DRINKING PROBLEM, AND THE RECIDIVISM RATE FOR DRUNK DRIVING. A TEST EVALUATION OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES PLAN USED QUESTIONNAIRES SENT TO ALL OFFENDERS WHO WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM. A CONTROL GROUP WAS USED TO MEASURE CHANGES IN ATTITUDES BETWEEN THOSE WHO WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND THOSE WHO DID NOT. THEN THE DRIVING RECORDS OF THOSE TREATED WERE EXAMINED. THIS INITIAL EFFORT FOUND THAT USE OF THE CONTROL GROUP WAS NOT ESPECIALLY HELPFUL. INSTEAD COMPARISONS OF THE OFFENDERS BEFORE AND AFTER THE PROGRAM AND AS THEY MOVED THROUGH IT WERE FELT MORE VALID. IN ADDITION TO THE MEASURES DEVELOPED TO DATE, THE EVALUATION SHOULD ALSO SURVEY JUDGES, COURT PERSONNEL, POLICE, HEALTH OFFICERS, AND CLIENTS TO FIND OUT WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE PROGRAM AND WHETHER OR NOT THESE EXPECTATIONS ARE BEING MET. THE ACTUAL EVALUATION OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES PROGRAM IS JUST BEGINNING. (GLR)