Montana Legislature

Lawmaker wants to expand 24/7 Sobriety Program

Posted: Feb 7, 2013 6:52 PM by MTN News

HELENA - MT State Representative Steve Lavin (R-Kalispell) wants to expand the 24/7 Sobriety Program to include drug offenders.

The current rules state that anyone who is convicted of a second or subsequent DUI may be ordered by the court to take a breath test twice a day every day.

Lavin says the program has been so successful that it shouldn't just apply to those who have a DUI, but also those who are convicted of other alcohol or drug-related crimes.

Lavin said, "The reason the 24/7 program is successful in reducing recidivism is that it changes the offender's behavior. A sanction applied immediately for a drinking or drugging event goes much further in changing someone's behavior than a sanction applied weeks or months after the fact."

The Montana Department of Justice reports that 22 of Montana's 56 counties are now participating in the 24/7 program, and from October 2011 to December 2012, law enforcement administered 157,000 breath tests, and 99% of them came back clean.

Click here to read the full text of the proposed bill.