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Helpful Information about the Alcohol Drug Evaluation
While a criminal violation such as a DUI in Whatcom County by itself may not be a sign of a true substance abuse problem, Whatcom County District Court or Bellingham Municipal Court and the Department of Licensing (if your license is suspended as a result of the DUI arrest) will require a professional opinion regarding whether or not the accused individual has an issue with alcohol or drugs. The purpose of the alcohol drug evaluation is to determine the extent of the defendant's alcohol and/or drug use and its associated risk to current or future public safety. The following areas are reviewed: the defendant's driving history, chemical test results (blood alcohol content), Objective Test score and category, and the interview with an evaluator.
The focus of the interview by the evaluator is past and current alcohol and drug use and how this use or misuse relates to driving or criminal history. Defendant responses are confirmed with proof provided to the treatment center of the individual’s driving abstract and criminal history (DCH – defendant case history), the Objective Test score, the results of the chemical testing, and possibly other corroborative sources.
Inconsistencies reported in the interview by the individual must be reconciled between the defendant and the evaluator. It’s important to be honest, particularly when there is proof of driving issues or substance abuse.
When the evaluation is completed, a diagnosis and recommendation will be determined by the evaluator and the evaluation will be forwarded to the attorney of record and the Washington State Department of Licensing.
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