In Missouri, the Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) provides a wide range of monitoring and rehabilitation services for DWI offenders after a conviction or while serving out an administrative license suspension. These programs provide rehabilitative services over incarceration and other punitive measures so that an offender is given the chance to turn his or her life around.
Through the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Division of Behavioral Health, SATOP assesses offenders, including information about their arrest, driver’s record and if any potential alcohol or other substance abuse issues exist. From there, individuals are recommended for the following programs:
- Clinical Intervention Program
- Offender Education Program
- Adolescent Diversion Education Program
- Weekend Intervention Program
- Youth Clinical Intervention Program
- Serious and Repeat Offender Program
- Traditional Treatment
After completing the requirements of their assigned SATOP program, offenders are eligible to reinstate driving privileges. For offenders with multiple DWI convictions, an ignition interlock device must be installed for at least six months to legally drive. That ignition interlock is monitored by the Missouri Department of Transportation for compliance, in conjunction with the chosen ignition interlock service provider. Once all SATOP requirements are satisfied in the court’s eyes, a DWI offender can restore full driving privileges, including driving without an interlock. Any violations like tampering with the device or circumventing it will result in a longer time requirement or removal from the program entirely.
Missouri SATOP allows drivers the freedom to resume life as if a DWI never happened, as long as they commit to the process and are serious about never drinking and driving again.
