Justice Speaks Podcast Episode #32

In this episode of Justice Speaks, JSI Co-Founder David Wallace sits down with Erin Holmes, Director of Traffic Safety Programs at the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (FAAR). They discuss the Computerized Assessment and Referral System (CARS), a revolutionary tool designed to identify DUI offenders with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

The Challenge of Reducing Repeat DUIs

While strides have been made in curbing impaired driving, a significant percentage of individuals continue to reoffend. Research reveals that 45% of repeat DUI offenders have both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder—a condition known as a co-occurring disorder. Many existing assessment tools fail to account for this complexity, overlooking crucial mental health factors. This gap prompted the development of CARS to provide a more holistic evaluation.

What is the CARS Assessment Tool?

Developed by researchers at Cambridge Health Alliance (a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School) with support from NIAAA and FAAR, CARS is a free, electronic assessment tool that:

• Screens for signs and symptoms of mental health issues.
• Identifies risks for specific mental health and substance use disorders.
• Generates user-friendly diagnostic reports with treatment recommendations.

CARS offers three versions to fit various needs:

• Full Assessment
• Screener
• Self-Administered Screener

How the CARS Assessment Tool works

Once completed, CARS generates a detailed diagnostic report that highlights the individual’s risk factors, mental health conditions, and a bio-psycho-social summary. Additionally, it can provide a list of tailored treatment referrals based on the individual’s zip code.

Implementation and Expansion

CARS was first piloted in Massachusetts DUI programs, followed by six national pilot sites, and officially launched in 2017. Available for free to courts, probation departments, and treatment programs, CARS is evolving to include a Spanish version, a web-based platform, and broader applications beyond DUI cases.

Benefits of CARS

Erin Holmes highlights how CARS provides immediate diagnostic insights into up to 20 major psychiatric disorders, empowering supervisors and treatment providers with actionable data. The tool’s targeted referrals further support offenders in accessing appropriate care, helping to break the cycle of impaired driving.

For More Information

To explore the CARS assessment tool, access training, or download the software, visit: www.carstrainingcenter.org