If you have been arrested for operating under the influence (OUI) in Massachusetts and you are convicted or your case is resolved pursuant to G.L. c. 90, Section 24D, you will be required to complete the Driver’s Alcohol Education Program (DAE), which is an alcohol education program which is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Driver’s Alcohol Education Program enrollment is required in order to obtain a hardship license from MassDOT or the RMV Board of Appeal. The 24D program is available to qualified first offenders and some second offenders.
The Mass. 24D program consists of the following components: Psychosocial Evaluation, Attendance at substance psycho-educational/counseling groups which meet for 90 minutes per week for 16 weeks, attendance at a minimum of two self-help groups (AA, NA, RR etc…) as well as 1 Victim’s Forum (AI-Anon, MADD, etc.), and an alcohol program exit Interview which is held upon successful completion of the 24D program.
You are expected to attend all alcohol program sessions to which you are assigned. Your participation in all activities of the group session is required. If you are prevented from attending any of the group sessions, you are required to schedule a make-up group. Absences may result in termination from the 24D program which may result in the automatic imposition of a 1 year or 2 year suspension of your driver’s license. All absences from the 24D Driver’s Alcohol Education Program will be reported to your probation officer. You must be on time for all sessions. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you will not be allowed to enter the group session and will be considered absent.
The goal of the Program is to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle without the use of alcohol or other drugs. You are expected to be abstinent from alcohol and other drugs for the length of the program and to demonstrate a serious commitment to abstinence and exploring a sober lifestyle. Should you need extra support in maintaining abstinence, your group will help you create and implement a specialized treatment plan. You are expected to comply with all treatment recommendations. If you come to any session under the influence of alcohol and/or any other non-prescribed drugs, you will be denied admittance and asked to take a drug/alcohol test. If the test is positive, you will be required to make arrangements for safe transportation home. If you are unable to arrange safe transportation, the program will arrange for taxi transportation home at your expense. Following a positive drug/alcohol test, there will be a clinical review to determine what further treatment is needed and whether you are eligible to continue· with Boston ASAP at this time. If you refuse any alcohol/drug test or safe transportation, you will be terminated from the program and not readmitted.
All cases will be reviewed at the midpoint of the program. Clients who are unable or unwilling to work on the goals of the program will have their cases referred to the Treatment Team for assessment and recommendations. Clients could be referred to a more intensive level of care depending on the severity of the problem or inability to work on program goals.
Your probation officer is notified upon the successful completion of the program obligations including a report for the 16 week group program obligations. A report of your subsequent progress will be provided to the probation officer as he/she prepares the final probation report. The Driver’s Alcohol Education Program will notify you Probation Officer of all contract violations or alterations, and any adverse action we take, such as recommending that your case be closed.
The total fee for the DAE Program is $567.30 and you will not receive a program completion certificate unless and until the Driver’s Alcohol Education Program is paid in full.
This program is available for qualfiied first offenders and certain 2nd offenders whose first DUI conviction occurred 10 or more years prior to the commission of the 2nd DUI offense. Second offenders who are not qualified for this program must complete the Massachusetts DUIL program.