NCJ Number
93963
Date Published
1983
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Interviews with a sample of individuals convicted of first misdemeanor driving under the influence (DWI) offenses and sent to San Diego's First Conviction Program (FCP) showed that the majority were not alcoholics and could benefit most from an early intervention program of alcohol education.
Abstract
A 95-item questionnaire was administered to 168 individuals over a 5-month period beginning July 1982. This sample represented approximately 15 percent of the total population entering the FCP initiated under California's new DWI law. Respondents were predominantly white, male, and young. The majority were fully employed, with a gross median monthly income of $1,002. The FCP population drank both regularly and at relatively higher levels than the general population. Respondents also reported having driven after drinking on numerous occasions that did not result in arrest or conviction. However, only 19.4 percent were consuming enough alcohol and experiencing enough problems to be defined as problem drinkers. Although 80.4 percent of the sample believed they were under the influence, only 46.4 percent believed they were drunk. These findings indicate FCP should focus on motivating offenders to modify their drinking driving behavior, promote the consensus that such behavior is unacceptable, acquaint offenders with the risks associated with alcohol and drug use, and familiarize them with local alcohol recovery resources. It does not appear valuable for the FCP to try and differentiate problem drinkers from other referrals for more intensive services. Tables and seven references are supplied.