SMADIT, Joint action against alcohol and drugs in traffic, is a method that is intended to reduce the number of repeated drunk driving offences. The goal of the measure is that every suspected drunk or drug driver shall, as soon as apprehended by the police, be offered contact with the social services or the dependency care and treatment services, who can offer a consultation and, if needed, suitable treatment. Overall, informants think that SMADIT is a good method to prevent drunk driving. In the present study, 14 suspected drunk drivers were interviewed about their perceptions and experience of SMADIT, why they have accepted treatment and how SMADIT has helped them. Initially in the study, there was a short survey within all 21 police authorities. The results of the survey show that less than half of all suspected drunk drivers were offered help through SMADIT. Of those who were offered help, about a quarter accepted to be contacted by social treatment services. The interviewed suspected drunk drivers stated that the drunk driving incident and its consequences led to a turning point in life, a new start with a healthier life. Most of the informants have completely opted out of the alcohol. Also, the informants' family relationships and life situations have improved. The majority of the informants do not think they will drive drunk in the future. Informants' narratives show that the police attitude is very important as most of the informants felt that they were in a disgraceful situation. Therefore, police kindness and understanding were important and can probably contribute to the informants' acceptance of the police offer to talk with the social treatment services. There are also other factors that may have influenced this decision. This applies particularly to the informant's drinking habits, which in most cases involve a more or less prolonged alcohol abuse. People also seem to think that they get a chance to make a turning point in life and face their problems, both alcohol abuse and other mental illnesses. The study points out some suggestions that could improve the SMADIT method. It is important that the police always provide the suspected drunk driver with sufficient and accurate verbal information about SMADIT and hand over the written information leaflet with contact information for local social treatment services. The folder may give the suspected drunk driver further information and a chance to take contact on their own initiative. It is also important that the offer is given to people who have been freed from suspicion of drunk driving. Further, it is important that a person, who answered no to SMADIT, is asked again at another time. (Author/publisher)
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