Discovery Point Retreat to Observe National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

Discovery Point Retreat, one of the premier rehab facilities in the Dallas, Fort Worth area. They will be observing the National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, which will happen in December. The National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is a campaign that aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, especially during the holidays. Discovery Point Retreat offers alcohol addiction treatment services in addition to inpatient drug rehab in Dallas.

Although the holidays are often a time of celebration, drivers are likely unaware that this is one of the most dangerous seasons to be on the road. This is because people allow their guard down during office parties and family reunions. Oftentimes, the festivities include alcohol. Sometimes, the consumption of alcohol opens the door to other substances like RX medication and drugs. More people drink and drive during the month of December, than any other month of the year.

In fact, an average of 300 people died annually since 2013 in drunk-driving-related crashes during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. This is according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A total of 781 people lost their lives in drunk-driving-related accidents in December 2016 alone.

Discovery Point Retreat supports the campaign against drunk and impaired driving because one of its primary goals is to break the bonds of addiction and be the light that guides clients’ homes. It is one of the core values of this Dallas rehab center. Through preventive measures, Discovery Point Retreat aims to help people before they end up needing rehabilitation services. On the road, an impaired driver endangers not only himself but also those who are sharing the road with them.

The National Impaired Driving Prevention Month highlights the consequences of impaired driving. It also reminds drivers that both drunk driving and drugged driving are considered ‘impaired driving’.

Although December has not arrived yet, Discovery Point Retreat wishes to inform drivers about a few state laws and penalties pertaining to impaired driving. All drivers can benefit from knowing these state laws.

Thirty-one states, including the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico now allow for comprehensive public medical marijuana and cannabis programs. Meanwhile, ten states permit recreational marijuana use: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

Thirty-two states require a driver to be visibly impaired by THC to receive a driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) citation. However, 12 states have a zero-tolerance law that prohibits driving with any amount of THC, including its metabolites, in the body that exceeds the legal limit.

In 2017, Colorado passed a law requiring that DUI and DUID cases involving drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both be reported to the state legislature for data analysis.

Lawmakers and enforcement officials are now tightening laws related to impaired driving. Every state has different ways of addressing these issues.

Texas in particular struggles to deal with drugged driving, as many officers are often not familiar with all the signs of impairment. According to the Texas District & County Attorneys Association, there are many obstacles when it comes to these types of diagnoses. For starters, alcohol is the only substance for which there is a scientific basis for determining impairment.

If one were to truly believe the adage that everything is bigger in Texas, then the addiction problem would be bigger as well. With borders to Mexico, the abundance of narcotics that flows through Texas is truly mind-boggling. While Discovery Point realizes that alcohol and drugs are not always struggled with together, the years of experience suggest that, where there is one, often, but not always there is another. With easy access to illicit drugs, alcoholism is likely to increase.

Because of this, Discovery Point Retreat wants to spread more awareness about impaired driving so that it can be avoided entirely. The National Impaired Driving Prevention Month gives them this platform.