D&A Assessment and Treatment

[blik]

What is the name of your state? PA

Hello, I had a DUI arrest over a year ago for marijuana in my blood. I have just finished AHSP and now I am being told I must do a Drug and alcohol assessment. Could anyone tell me what this will involve? I am hoping it is not a urine test. After starting AHSP I thought that was all I would need to complete and smoked a little during that time. Near my last classes I learned I would have to do this assessment and stopped again. I cleaned up before AHSP started because of fear of piss test. The reason I have to do the assessment has to do with Act 122. Any information on what will happen at this assessment would be appreciated.

 

[netic]

Assement in AZ

Sorry, I don't know about PA, but in Arizona you just sign a pledge and "promise" to abstain. But they do hold the threat of testing over your head. But plenty of people continue to party. You go to group sessions where you talk about the evils of drugs and alcohol, and state that you are clean and sober at each meeting. If the counselor suspects you they may assign you more sessions or even send you back to court.
Hope this helps.

 

[Betty]

You go for an assessment/evaluation with a licensed counselor who you discuss your alcohol/drug usage with & they will decide if they believe you should go for treatment for your "addiction." If so, it becomes a part of your sentence with the court. You may or may not be asked to submit a urine sample for analysis.

 

[blik]

Thank you both netic and Betty. Do you think if I do get a urine test the day it will be is on the day of this evaluation? Or will they inform me I have to come in before the classes actually start? I am still scared I will not be clean, I have one more at home drug test I am waiting to take a day before I go there.

Would it be a good idea of me to bring some background on my schooling to this evaluation? I have pretty good grades and I am a college student.

 

[devlin]

Maybe....

When I had my assessment after my DUI they asked about a million and one questions and they are confusing because you don't realize how the way you answer becomes part of the bigger picture when they decide what the outcome is. The way mine was done was the counselor went through about 100 questions, marked my answers on an answer sheet like the ones in school where the teacher runs them through the computer to correct, I was instructed to answer only yes or no to the questions, no explanations, then he input the data into a computer and the computer decided whether I needed an additional assessment. I answered one question that screwed me.....the question was "do you ever feel that your life is overwhelming", I answered yes, that forced me into another assessment because the computer felt I was "at risk". The evaluator admitted he felt I was not at risk, however, it was out of his hands as the computer made the ultimate recommendation. Didn't matter what the reasons were, I was only allowed to answer yes or no. So, to bring your school information, well, to the human being that is interviewing you it might make a difference, however, the computer could care less. I'll be interested if they evaluate you this same way, let us know.

 

[BigMistakeFl]

BigMistakeFl

In Florida, you fill out a long questionaire with about a hundred questions on it. Then the counselor goes over your answers a few weeks later and asks many of the same things again. Yeah, he sort of tries to trick you, and is not looking for right or wrong answers to the questions.... he's looking for inconsistencies (lying).

 

[SillyPuddy]

If you get a DUI, the State wants you to be an alchoholic or addict so the State has justification for putting you through whatever their program is. This is the business engine side of DUI. Subjective analysis by the evaluators and counselors is removed from the equation.

Remember, DUI is a very big employer. The tow truck company gets paid, the arresting officer gets a bonus, attorneys get paid, the judge gets paid, the court get paid, the "evlauators" get paid, the jail gets paid, the alchohol school gets paid, the DMV gets paid. Need I go on? How are all those organizations going to get paid if no one is placed in the State's DUI program?

 

[moburkes]

If you get a DUI, the State wants you to be an alchoholic or addict so the State has justification for putting you through whatever their program is. This is the business engine side of DUI. Subjective analysis by the evaluators and counselors is removed from the equation.

Remember, DUI is a very big employer. The tow truck company gets paid, the arresting officer gets a bonus, attorneys get paid, the judge gets paid, the court get paid, the "evlauators" get paid, the jail gets paid, the alchohol school gets paid, the DMV gets paid. Need I go on? How are all those organizations going to get paid if no one is placed in the State's DUI program?

You forgot to mention that people get killed or injured, families get ruined, property gets damaged, etc.

 

[SillyPuddy]

"You forgot to mention that people get killed or injured, families get ruined, property gets damaged, etc."

** I was merely explaining to the OP the reality of how the system works. By no means do I discount the seriousness of the risk to the public.

 

[blik]

Yes, because the government just wants to get paid. If the government cared about the lives of their people why not make it a requirement to put ignition interlock on every car manufactured? I believe this would stop DUIs and lower the amount of people killed by DUI each year.

I endangered no one when I was driving the night of my DUI.

 

[moburkes]

Yes, because the government just wants to get paid. If the government cared about the lives of their people why not make it a requirement to put ignition interlock on every car manufactured? I believe this would stop DUIs and lower the amount of people killed by DUI each year.

I endangered no one when I was driving the night of my DUI.

Then their plan worked, didn't it? You fell right into their trap!

 

[BigMistakeFl]

BigMistakeFl

" If the government cared about the lives of their people why not make it a requirement to put ignition interlock on every car manufactured?"

That would be like introducing a cure for cancer..... too many big interests would lose too much money on the disease. Can't have that!

I'm actually another who would like to see some form of interlock device on new cars someday. For all concerned there would never be another drunk driver, nor another questionable prosecution. I can preach all day that people should not drive after even one single drink, but no way can I guarentee they will heed the advice.

 

[blik]

Well I took my assessment some time ago. It was all a waste of time, because they placed me in the classes anyway. I don't even know why they have the assessment because I am sure everyone who goes to the assessment has to take the extra classes. There was no "evaluation" just me having to answer questions that didn't matter to anyone. After finishing the questions the lady who was giving me this said something along these lines: Well you don't really need the classes but "they" want you to take them.

It is more like "you" want 120 more of my dollars. I really wanted to ask who she meant by they but I knew it was pointless.

 

[moburkes]

Well I took my assessment some time ago. It was all a waste of time, because they placed me in the classes anyway. I don't even know why they have the assessment because I am sure everyone who goes to the assessment has to take the extra classes. There was no "evaluation" just me having to answer questions that didn't matter to anyone. After finishing the questions the lady who was giving me this said something along these lines: Well you don't really need the classes but "they" want you to take them.

It is more like "you" want 120 more of my dollars. I really wanted to ask who she meant by they but I knew it was pointless.

This thread is over 2 weeks old. Please pay attention to the dates when you post. Thanks!

 

[blik]

I know how old it is, I made the thread. I was updating on what happens at the evaluation for anyone else in PA who has had a DUI. Thanks for your information.