Risk Reduction

What is the Risk Reduction Program?
The Risk Reduction Program (RRP) is an intervention mandated by law for people convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), possession of illegal drugs, underage possession of alcohol while driving a motor vehicle, or Boating Under the Influence (BUI). The goal of the RRP is to help each person reduce the risk of future health and impairment problems created by alcohol and/or drug use, especially drinking and driving, and to understand and accept the need to make the necessary changes to avoid these problems in the future.

Why is the Risk Reduction Program important?
Public awareness and stiffer penalties may stop social drinkers from drinking and driving. However, punishment alone does not deter people with significant alcohol or other drug problems. The RRP is designed to persuade this resistant population to examine and accept the need to change their attitudes and behaviors concerning alcohol and drug use. Studies indicate that multiple DUI offenders are more aware that they have significant alcohol related problems, and that they need clinical assistance following their participation in the RRP.

How does the program work?
The first step is a standardized assessment to determine the person's level of involvement with alcohol or other drugs. The second step is completion of the 20-hour Risk Reduction curriculum. The curriculum dispels common misconceptions about how alcohol and other drugs affect the body, what it takes to become impaired and who can have a problem. Using persuasion, the curriculum teaches participants how to make choices about their alcohol use that will lower their risk of having problems. The program teaches that abstinence is the only choice for persons with alcoholism or who use illegal drugs. Several predictors of those most likely to continue drinking and driving were identified as a result of a study conducted over a five-year period by Emory University's School of Medicine. The assessment results and these identified predictors of repeating the same offense are discussed as part of the program curriculum. Any person convicted of a second DUI in five years after July 1, 1997 falls under the Multiple Offender Program. These individuals must undergo a clinical evaluation and, if indicated by the evaluation, complete a substance abuse treatment program to be eligible for driver's license reinstatement. The results of the standardized assessment completed as part of the Risk Reduction Program, then becomes part of the clinical evaluation.

How did the Risk Reduction get started?
Public concern about highway crashes and deaths caused by drinking and driving increased dramatically in the 1980's. In 1986, the Department of Human Resources Division of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse began pilot programs in nine Georgia communities. The pilot project showed that intervention can change behavior and the state's General Assembly passed legislation in 1990 creating a statewide program for all DUI and drug possession offenders. The RRP continues to evolve and maintain a state of the art program by: (1) incorporating new research which refines our understanding of alcohol and drug problems, (2) simplifying the program format, and (3) incorporating new legislative changes based on study recommendation. Legislation passed in 1999 requires that judges mandate completion of the DUI, Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program for all DUI offenders, and completion of the clinical evaluation, and substance abuse treatment for the multiple DUI offender as part of their court sentence. The passing of this legislation was based on the Emory University finding that 42% of offenders did not attend the Risk Reduction Program although, it is mandated by law for driver's license reinstatement.

How is the program operated?
The Department of Driver Services (DDS) certifies all programs and trains all instructors. Most programs are private businesses; a few are publicly operated. Each program uses a standardized assessment tool (the NEEDS Instrument) and standardized curriculum (PRIME for Life). Instructors must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years. DDS staff monitor programs to make sure they are following the curriculum and operating properly.

How do we know the Risk Reduction Program works?
The Risk Reduction Program uses a standardized assessment and curriculum, which are both nationally recognized and well tested. The study conducted by Emory University's School of Medicine found that the curriculum is effective in meeting its objectives and the students learn what they are intended to. The same study supports the effectiveness of the assessment instrument. The study also found that DUI offenders who did not attend the Risk Reduction Program were twice as likely to get another DUI as those who attended the program.

DUI / Risk Reduction Schedule: