AN ANALYSIS OF DRINKER DIAGNOSIS AND REFERRAL. SD:ASAP ANALYTIC STUDY NO. 5--1975

The present report includes a detailed description of the South Dakota Alcohol Safety Action Project (ASAP) diagnosis and referral subsystem during its original three year active period. Changes in the subsystem occurring in the original three year active period and proposed changes for the two year active continuation period are discussed. The most significant change in the subsystem has been the initiation of random assignment to a control group in 1974. Profiles of the four drinker classifications employed by the South Dakota ASAP (social drinker, problem drinkers, serious problem drinkers, and alcoholics) were presented. The distributions of referrals to rehabilitation were presented for each drinker classification. Profiles of referral categories were presented and distinct differences between the categories were observed on nearly all profile variables considered. It appears that some differences exit in the manner in which presentence investigation information was applied to determination of drinker classification between the 1972-1973 and 1974 time periods. Analyses, however, indicated a resonable degree of reliability and validity associated with the drinker diagnosis subsystem. Analyses also suggested a reasonable degree of validity and reliability associated with the referral subsystem. It was noted, however, that nearly half of those persons not sentenced to rehabilitation by the court system had been recommended for referral to rehabilitation by the ASAP referral subsystem. No evidence was found to suggest presentence investigation alone or appropriate (versus inappropriate) referral to rehabilitation reduced the probability of recidivism. Analyses of expenditures for diagnosis and referral indicated that the processes had increased in efficiency across the original three year operational period of the project. No method by which the diagnosis procedures employed by the South Dakota ASAP could be streamlined without a noticeable effect on the quality of the drinker diagnosis was found. Catalytic effects of the diagnosis and referral subsystem were discussed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project sponsored by Alcohol Safety Action Project, Pierre, South Dakota and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of South Dakota, Vermillion

  Human Factors Laboratory
  Vermillion, SD  United States  57069
• Authors:
  • Struckman, D L
• Publication Date: 1975-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 356 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Catalysis; Courts; Driver rehabilitation; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Randomization; Recidivism
• Identifier Terms: Alcohol Safety Action Program
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rehabilitation
• Old TRIS Terms: Asap (Alcohol safety action program)
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00141997
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Highway Safety Research Institute
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-045-1-061
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 4 1977 12:00AM