Johnson Leads Bill to Reduce Alcohol-Related Offenses

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Supporting Opportunities to Build Everyday Responsibility(SOBER) Act, legislation aimed at combating repeat alcohol-related criminal offenses and bolstering the 24/7 sobriety program across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use kills more than 140,000 individuals each year and costs the U.S. economy nearly $250 billion.

The SOBER Act provides funding to help sustain and expand existing 24/7 sobriety programs. 24/7 sobriety was implemented in South Dakota in 2005. An evaluation found a 12% reduction in DUI arrests, a 9% reduction in domestic violence arrests, and a 4.2% reduction in all-cause mortality in jurisdictions that adopted the program.

“South Dakota has been a strong leader on combatting alcohol-related offenses for years – it’s time to take this successful program national – that’s what the SOBER Act does. If we can invest in the root cause of the issue, our state, local, and federal government will not only save money in the long run, we will save lives,” said Johnson. “I’m grateful to local law enforcement’s for staying engaged and innovative on this important issue that plagues so many communities.”

“Ever since 2005 when the 24/7 Sobriety Program started in South Dakota, our Sheriff Offices have administered over 12.3 million breath test and over 625,000 drug tests,” said Byron Nogelmeier, South Dakota 24/7 Sobriety Program State Coordinator. “This program has made a positive impact on public safety. The goal of the program has always focused on keeping people sober so they are able to remain active within society, with their families, and with their employment. Through my personal experience when I was Sheriff of Turner County, I have met with people who were on the program. They have told me that the program had saved their life from addiction. You know then that the program does work.”

“The SOBER Act will provide grants to help establish and maintain 24/7 sobriety programs. These programs offer another option for addressing drunk and impaired driving and can help free up resources that law enforcement agencies can redirect towards combating violent crime or responding to other serious offenses,” saidJeri Williams, Chief, Phoenix Police Department and President, Major Cities Chiefs Association. “The MCCA thanks Rep. Johnson for introducing this piece of legislation.”

The SOBER Act would:

• Create a grant within the Office of Justice Programs at the Department of Justice, and authorize the appropriation of $50 million each year for five years.
• Provide data from grantees and a report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) assessing the impact of 24/7 sobriety programs on violence, crime, recidivism, and incarceration rates.

The SOBER Act is co-sponsored by Reps. Bacon (R-NE), Owens (R-UT), Correa (D-CA), DelBene (D-WA), and Craig (D-MN) and endorsed by the Major Cities Chiefs, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Niskanen Center.

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