14-118 C.M.R. ch. 2, § C - THE DRIVER EDUCATION EVALUATION PROGRAM FOR CLIENTS UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE (THE UNDER 21 PROGRAM)

1. First and multiple offenders under 21 years of age at the time of the offense who have not attained 21 years of age at the time they are registering for a program shall attend the Under 21 Program. The Under 21 Program consists of the following components:

a. The clients receive education specifically designed for the age group on substance use, abuse and addiction. Education is provided through didactic presentations and group discussion with the aid of a study guide and includes assessing one's own biological and social risk factors for developing alcoholism and addiction.

b. The preliminary assessment component is designed to assess the extent of a client's involvement with alcohol or other drugs as well as potential for abuse. A client may be referred for a clinical substance abuse evaluation based on the results of his/her preliminary assessment.

c. The evaluation component consists of a two to four hour clinical substance abuse evaluation that includes one session with a significant other or concerned person. The evaluation is provided by a Community-based Service Provider and determines if evidence of a substance abuse problem exists and if the client is at risk to recidivate. If the clinical substance abuse evaluation indicates that treatment for alcohol or other drug abuse is needed, the client will be required to complete treatment. The client is responsible for the cost of the clinical substance abuse evaluation.

d. The treatment component, provided by a Community-based Service Provider, is designed to address the client's specific problem with or abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs. The client is responsible for the cost of the treatment.

1. A referral for a clinical substance abuse evaluation shall be made when the preliminary assessment determines that the client meets the ASAM criteria for Level 1 or above.

2. Any time a referral for a clinical substance abuse evaluation is made under this section the client may waive the evaluation process and enter directly into treatment.

3. DEEP will provide the client with list a of names and contact information of Community-based Service Providers who are approved to conduct the clinical substance abuse evaluation and/or treatment from a list of approved Community-based Service Providers. The client shall receive the clinical substance abuse evaluation or treatment from an approved Community-based Service Provider of his/her choice. DEEP will maintain a list of approved Community-based Service Providers.

4. Clients who have completed treatment subsequent to the most recent incident and the treatment was completed six (6) months or more prior to the registration for the program being attended shall receive a status update evaluation.

5. The chosen Community-based Service Provider shall not provide the clinical substance abuse evaluation or treatment services until they receive the client registration form from DEEP.

6. First and multiple offenders under 21 years of age at the time of the offense who have attained 21 years of age at the time of registration for the Driver Education and Evaluation Programs shall attend and pay the fee for the program described in Section D. He/she may be referred for a clinical substance abuse evaluation as a result of the preliminary assessment and may be referred to treatment as a result of that evaluation. The cost of the clinical substance abuse evaluation and the treatment, if necessary, is the responsibility of the client.

7. The fee for the Under 21 Program is two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225) that includes a non-refundable, non transferable seventy-five dollar ($75) registration fee.

8. Any time the client does not notify DEEP at least twenty-four hours (24) hours prior to the start of a program for which they have registered that they are unable to attend the program they will be charged an additional non-refundable, non-transferable seventy-five dollar ($75) registration fee when registering for another program.

9. Upon satisfactory completion of the Under 21 Program or the former Moving Ahead Program, the Office will notify the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicle, Division of Driver Licensing Services.

10. The client's case record will be closed when there is no contact between the DEEP Program and the client, a client representative, or the clinician for a two year period. In such a circumstance, in order to participate in the program, the client will be required to re-register and pay all fees. Clients will be notified by mail thirty (30) days prior to case closure at the last known address they provided to the Department.

Notes

14-118 C.M.R. ch. 2, § C