NCJ Number
74828
Date Published
1979
Length
59 pages
Annotation
The drinking driver rehabilitation system of Salt Lake County, Utah, is described, and system effectiveness is evaluated.
Abstract
In order to test the effectiveness of the Salt lake system, a sample of 51 nonproblem drinkers, 103 problem drinkers referred for treatment, and 28 problem drinkers no referred for treatment was examined using 5 variables. These included prior convictions, length on the job, and drinking patterns. The results showed that the presentence investigators' classifications of drinkers into identifiable categories were accurate. Persons classified as social drinkers were rearrested at a 6 percent rate; 19 percent of the problem drinkers were rearrested, as were 30 percent of the problem drinkers not referred for treatment. Investigators often recommended no probation, assuming that the judges would assign jail sentences, however, sentences had little effect on recidivism. Generally, recidivists were likely to be problem drinkers, on welfare, and widowed. While the ASAP schools were unable to influence problem drinkers, they were found to be appropriate for social drinkers. One community's practice of placing first offenders on probation for 1 year and sending them to ASAP schools proved to be particularly effective. Since many offenders did not attend their assigned treatment programs, closer followup procedures are recommended. A few tables and an appendix containing a summary of discriminant analysis results are included. (Author abstract modified)