The Swedish alcohol ignition interlock programme for DWI offenders started as a pilot project in 1999. It is a volunteer programme, but differs in some respects from other programmes. It covers a period of two years, and includes very strict medical regulations entailing regular check-ups by a physician. Records from the five years prior to the DWI offence showed that the DWI offenders are generally in a high-risk category long before their offence. During the programme, alcohol consumption is monitored through the use of self-esteem questionnaires (AUDIT) and five different biological markers. Our preliminary data shows a noticeable reduction in alcohol consumption amongst the participants, as determined through falling AUDIT scores and significantly decreased levels in the biological markers. It must, however, be noted that the number of participants is still very small (285 individuals) compared to other programmes. Up until now, no case of recidivism has been found during the programme, but it is still too early to draw any conclusions concerning the rate of recidivism after completion of the programme, as data is not yet available for analysis. Nevertheless, the preliminary results are so promising that the programme will be expanded to cover all of Sweden, as well as include all driving licence (Author/publisher) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD Abstract No. E201067.
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