The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers that lead the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking, recognized Senator Scott Jenkins (R-UT, District 20) with its 2015 Leadership Award.
Senator Jenkins sponsored 2015 Senate Bill 150, which was enacted into law and supported by Responsibility.org. Senate Bill 150 requires the court to order screening, assessment, and treatment for a person convicted of a felony DUI. The bill also mandates an ignition interlock condition for a second DUI offense within a 10 year period.
“We applaud the Senator for his dedication and leadership to prevent impaired driving with comprehensive and effective countermeasures such as screening, assessment, treatment and monitoring for repeat DUI offenders,” said Ralph Blackman, president and CEO of Responsibility.org. “The use of comprehensive screening and assessment in the criminal justice setting is necessary to identify DUI offenders who have substance use and/or mental health disorders that require further intervention. Absent the accurate identification of the presence of these disorders, practitioners miss an opportunity to address an underlying cause of offending and, subsequently, reduce future recidivism. Expanded use of technologies such as ignition interlocks ensure public safety and are most effective when coupled with assessment and treatment. We look forward to expanding our relationship and continuing to save lives in the future with Senator Jenkins.”
Senator Jenkins stated “I am honored to receive this award. There are not many more important things we can take part in as legislators than helping to ensure the safety of Utah citizens, protecting the lives of our children, and promoting safety in Utah’s neighborhoods. There is much work to be done in this arena, and I am grateful for the Foundation’s continued efforts to this end.”
