The Sydney drink driver scheme - a court referral program for high risk drinking drivers

The role of alcohol in road accidents is discussed and the need for rehabilitation of convicted drinking drivers described. The Sydney drink driver rehabilitation scheme started in 1976, is considered to represent the first state level program in Australia. Offenders with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 mg% and above, and those convicted for second and subsequent offences are referred to alcoholism clinics for an eight week rehabilitation course. The scheme aims to pinpoint problem drinkers and provide alternative to other punishment through educational classes, counselling or behaviour modification. Data on characteristics of scheme participants are presented and the method of evaluation of course effectiveness discussed.