About the Project

The Audience for This Sourcebook

A reduction in the number of hardcore drunk drivers requires the interaction and collaboration of professionals in a number of fields: legislators, policymakers, law enforcement officers, the judiciary, prosecutors, community advocates, and education and treatment professionals. They are all integral parts of the process required to decrease recidivism and increase the number of lives saved. That process begins with identifying the hardcore drunk driver and continues through assessing the nature of the driver’s problem and imposing sanctions and treatment. It is aprocess that defines our intended audience as well as the framework of this sourcebook.

State Legislators, State Highway Safety Officials and Local Policymakers: This sourcebook and its related website establish a clearinghouse of practical, up-to-date information on hardcore drunk driving that can assist state and local officials in setting policy priorities and in drafting laws. They describe the impact of hardcore drunk driving initiatives in a variety of jurisdictions and provide policymakers with the research, success stories, and statistical foundation they need to bolster their own proposed legislation. Where available, information is included on the cost of treatment programs and sanctions, such as vehicle impoundment, and the degree to which these programs can be financially self-sufficient.

Law Enforcement Officers: To combat hardcore drunk driving effectively, law enforcement officers need information on effective means to deter the hardcore fromdriving drunk, and to apprehend them when they do. The arrest begins the identification process, which may be more difficult with hardcore drunk drivers because of their high tolerance for alcohol. However, with proper training, law enforcement officers can provide key, comprehensive information from their own investigations to the courts.

Judges: Judges need comprehensive information on hardcore drunk drivers at their fingertips. This sourcebook and related website can apprise them of promising practices from other jurisdictions throughout the nation.

Prosecutors: An integral part of the judicial process, prosecutors need to be well-informed on the issue of hardcore drunk driving, but particularly, on the most effective combination of treatment and sanctions they can advocate when presenting to a judge at sentencing.

Treatment Professionals: Given the multiplicity of issues facing this group, the sourcebook provides a focus on the particular problem of the hardcore drunk driver. Also, it paints a picture of what happens, both administratively and judicially, up-stream from treatment. The emphasis is on programs that appear to work and lessons learned.

Community Advocates: By their prominence in the battle against drunk driving, these individuals and organizations are actively involved in reducing the number of hardcore drunk drivers on America’s highways. This book provides them with information on other communities’ efforts to combat the problem.