Attorney General Larry Long's pet project, the 24-7 sobriety program, has received recognition for an innovative approach to curbing repeat alcohol offenses in South Dakota.
The program utilizes regular sobriety testing of alcohol and drug lawbreakers, offering them a way to stay sober and as an alternative to going to jail.
Long discussed the program this week in Pierre, telling members of the state Legislature that 99.9 percent of the tests have been clean for people in standard twice-daily alcohol testing.
Since 2007, there have been more than 10,000 participants and 1.7 million tests administered.
"That's a lot of sobriety, folks," Long told the lawmakers.
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We agree, and once again offer our support for the 24-7 program.
Consider the troubles that alcohol and drugs are causing, not just to society but also to the financial coffers of this state's counties. Last year, officials from a state association of counties told the Legislature that 30 percent of county spending statewide is for law enforcement, jails and courts.
Many of the court cases that roll through the county system are related to alcohol or drug use. DUI cases continue to be high, and a high number of assault and abuse cases can be traced to alcohol or drug use.
National statistics indicate that one-third of the people convicted of drunk-driving for the first time will later be convicted at least a second time.
We absolutely are not against responsible drinking, by adults.
But we shake our heads at the number of crimes that are the result of problem drinking.
Long's 24-7 program is designed to reduce that number, and because of that, we always have given the program our support.
It's a great program and worth every penny of funding it receives.
