 TEXAS: DWI Alcohol/Drug Offender Education Programs
TEXAS DWI EDUCATION PROGRAM:
Article 42.12, Section 13(h),Code of Criminal Procedure
requires persons convicted of first offense DWI and
receiving probation, to attend and successfully complete
an educational program certified by the Texas Commission
on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Failure to complete the program
within 180 days (unless an extension was granted) from the
date probation was granted will result in the offender's
license being revoked. The license cannot be reinstated
until the educational program is completed. The
standardized program is 12 hours in length and is designed
to help DWI offenders increase their knowledge about
alcohol and drugs as these substances relate to driving
skills, to identify their own individual drinking/drug use
and driving patterns, and to assist them in developing
plans which will reduce the probability of future DWI
behavior. Specific course topics include
alcohol/drug and
traffic safety problems, Texas laws relating to DWI,
effects of alcohol/drugs on humans, alcohol/drugs and
driving task abilities, chemical dependency,
symptoms of
dependency, sources of assistance, costs of DWI, and
decision-making.
TEXAS DWI REPEAT OFFENDER PROGRAM: Article 42.12,
Section 13(j), Code of Criminal Procedure requires
persons convicted of subsequent DWI offenses to attend a
program for "repeat offenders" approved by TCADA.
Failure to complete the program will result in the
offender’s license being revoked until the program has
been completed. This standardized program is 32 hours in
length and is designed for multiple DWI offenders and/or
others who have alcohol/drug related problems for which
the first offender program was not designed to address.
The program purpose is to intervene in the alcohol/drug
abusing lifestyles of the offenders in order to encourage
entry into treatment where indicated as well as to prevent
further substance abuse related problems. Specific course
topics include lifestyle issues, values, self-esteem,
positive thinking vs. irrational beliefs, responsibility,
physiological/psychological effects of drugs, alcoholism,
chemical dependency, how drug abuse effects family
members, co-dependency, Al-Anon, treatment options,
12-Step Self-Help Groups, peer pressure, relapse
prevention, problem solving and action planning.
TEXAS DRUG OFFENDER EDUCATION PROGRAM: Section
521.371-521.377, Texas Transportation Code (formerly
Article 6687b, Section 24B, Texas Civil Statutes)
states that persons convicted of
misdemeanor or felony
drug offenses will automatically have their licenses
suspended for a period of six months. In order to have
their license reinstated, they must attend and
successfully complete an education program on the dangers
of drug abuse approved by TCADA. Failure to complete the
program will result in the
license being revoked
indefinitely until the education program is completed. The
standardized program is 15 hours in length and is designed
to increase the knowledge of drug offenders by educating
them on the dangers of drug abuse and associated illegal
activities, to identify their own individual drug-use
patterns, and to assist them in developing a personal
action plan which will reduce the probability of suffering
the consequences of future drug using and illegal
behavior. Specific course topics include history of drug
abuse, drug/DWI laws, dynamics of drug use, drugs of
abuse, how drugs work, cost of use and abuse, health
issues, HIV, interpersonal relationships, deglamorization
of drugs, values and behaviors, past and desired
behaviors, getting control of your life, resource options,
and personal action planning. (Not applicable to
deferred adjudication).
ALCOHOL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR MINORS PROGRAM: (aka MINOR IN
POSSESSION (MIP) Section 106.115, Alcoholic
Beverage Code, requires minors convicted of first or
subsequent offenses for the purchase, possession or
consumption of alcoholic beverages to attend an alcohol
awareness course approved by the Texas Commission on
Alcohol and Drug Abuse in addition to assessing a fine. If
a TCADA approved course is not available, the court shall
require the defendant to perform 8-12 hours of community
service. Failure to complete the alcohol awareness course
or community service within 90 days of conviction will
result in a
license suspension of up to 6 months. TCADA
has adopted minimum operational requirements for alcohol
awareness programs seeking our approval.
Administrator/instructor training in the use of the
standardized curriculum is offered quarterly.
The standardized program is six hours in length and is
designed to help participants increase their knowledge
about alcohol and drugs among young people. The curriculum
contains information on the following topics: societal
values related to alcohol consumption by minors, the
influence of alcohol advertising on young people, the
physical, social and psychological effects of alcohol upon
young people; the relationship between motor vehicle and
other accidents and alcohol use; relevant laws relating to
the purchase, possession or consumption of alcoholic
beverages by minors, drinking patterns and problems of
young people including abuse and addiction and decision
making skills. Training for instructors and administrators
in the use of the curriculum is on going.
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