OASAS Impaired Driving Offense Service
If you have been arrested for impaired driving, it is highly likely that the court, your lawyer, or the IDS program will recommend that you undergo an assessment or screening. As an approved OASAS provider, I conduct clinical screening, assessment, and treatment services for people who have been charged with impaired driving or have substance use disorders. I am a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC-M) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), so you can trust that you are in good hands.
I offer flexible scheduling - weekends and evenings.
What to expect during the clinical screening/ assessment?
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As part of the process, you must respond to some questions about your use of alcohol or drugs. This usually involves completing one or two standard screening assessments.
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To proceed with the alcohol and drug screening, you must undergo a toxicology test and urinalysis. You have an appointment scheduled with a laboratory for this purpose.
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As part of the psychosocial assessment process, you will be asked questions about your personal life and behavioral health history and any relevant information related to the incident.
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During the screening process, it's essential to have someone who can speak about you or provide relevant information to the evaluation. This can be achieved through interviewing collateral sources, such as individuals or organizations who can give pertinent details to ensure an accurate screening determination.
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In order to provide information to NYS Impaired Drivers System (IDS), it is necessary for you to sign a consent form.
Documents you need to provide.
In order to attend the clinical screening/assessment, you must first submit the following documents for review.
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Abstract driving record
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Official documentation of the violation, including but not limited to a copy of the arrest report, the incident report, and the traffic ticket
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Driver's License
The screening and assessment typically take between 60 and 90 minutes.
Once the clinical screening/assessment is complete, clients have the option to request a report for their referral source. However, they must provide consent before their information can be entered into NYS IDS. If appropriate recommendations and referrals are available, they will be provided to the client.
(Alcohol and drug screening test fee not included; health insurance coverage may be utilized for alcohol and drug screening test.)
Clinician Screening and Assessments are not covered by health insurance/ third party payer.
For more details:
Residents of New York State charged with or convicted of an impaired driving offense ( DWI, DWI, DWAI/Drug, DWAI/combination) may be required or recommended to have a clinical screening and assessment of alcohol or substance use at the time of arraignment or prior to sentencing when the individual is charged with or convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs: New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requires authorization to provide clinical screening, assessment, and treatment services for impaired driving offenders. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) or higher or other evidence of intoxication. For drivers of commercial motor vehicles: .04 BAC or other evidence of intoxication, aggravated driving while intoxicated (aggravated DWI) .18 BAC or higher, driving while ability impaired by alcohol (DWAI/Alcohol) more than .05 BAC but less than .07 BAC, or other evidence of impairment, driving while ability impaired by a single drug other than alcohol (DWAI/Drug), driving while ability impaired by a combined influence of drugs or alcohol (DWAI/Combination), chemical test refusal - a driver who refuses to take a chemical test (normally a test of breath, blood or urine), zero tolerance Law, and a driver who is less than 21 years of age and who drives with a .02 BAC to .07 BAC violates the Zero tolerance law.
The clinical screening and assessment adhere to NYS OASAS General Service Standards for Clinical Services Provided to Individuals Arrested for an Impaired Driving Offense.