REHABILITATION:
The mission of DEDICATEDD is clear - to stop the criminal acts of drunk, drugged and impaired driving on our roadways, waterways and recreation areas, and to advocate for the victims of these tragic offenses. What is not so clear is how to achieve this mission.
Anti-DWI groups have been in existence for over twenty years, and although the numbers of persons killed in alcohol- and drug-related crashes has dropped significantly, impaired driving continues to be the most frequently committed violent crime in America.
Particularly disturbing, over the past few years the number of people killed in impaired driving crashes has risen.
DEDICATEDD believes we need to take a serious look at how we deal with drunk and drugged driving. We have made tremendous strides personalizing the crime – transforming the notion that DWI was a fact of life, rite of passage, an “accident” into the belief that it is truly a violent and preventable crime.
We believe that to effectively reduce the incidence of DWI we must take a multi-faceted approach to address the problem. The majority of drunk and drugged driving crimes are committed by “hardcore” drivers – those with high BAC levels and repeat offenders.
While we strongly feel that these “hard core” drivers must be dealt with strictly in the criminal system, we also recognize that they are usually alcoholics who need help beyond simply jail time. DEDICATEDD fully supports alcohol testing and rehabilitation for repeat offenders and any who indicate a pattern of “hardcore” behavior.
The use of combination programs, in which an offender receives jail time and intense treatment during that period, has proven to be highly effective, and the enhancement of these programs is strongly encouraged by DEDICATEDD members.
It is our responsibility to take all steps necessary to remove and prevent drunk and impaired drivers from interfering with our right to a safe passage home.