NH Shuts Down MOP Treatment Program: Options Available
New Hampshire DWI law stipulates completion of a mandatory treatment program, the Multiple Offender Program (MOP), for anyone convicted two or more times of driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI DUI). On October 15, 2009, Governor John Lynch shut down the state-run MOP treatment program firing all 26 employees due to budget constraints.
What is the Multiple Offender Program (MOP)?
The Multiple Offender Program is a treatment program for habitual alcohol and drug abusers. An intensive 7-day, 6-night residential program, it is required by the state for multiple offenders of DWI/DUI. It is possible for a therapist or counselor to recommend a longer stay.
If the program is not complete, offenders face a contempt of court charge and fourteen days in the county jail. Additionally, if the program is incomplete, a suspended license cannot be reinstated.
The state closing created quite a stir. How can an offender ordered by the Court to complete the program, follow through with the sentence? There are several ways.
How can offenders complete the NH MOP program?
The state-run program may be closed, but there are several private treatment centers (link: ) approved by the state that render MOP services.
On June 9, 2010, the Executive Council and Governor Lynch met and authorized the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services Department to enter into agreements with Southeastern NH Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Amethyst Foundation, Serenity Place, and Tri-County Community Action Program to provide MOP services. These agreements are currently in effect through June 30, 2011.
The state, as it has done in the past will continue to set up a payment plan for those who need it to pay off the $1,550.00 program fee.
Where does the Multiple Offender Program go from here?
The state of New Hampshire recently received a grant entitled “Access to Recovery (ATR)”, a twelve million dollar grant from the federal Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHA). The ATR program provides vouchers to pay for treatment and recovery support services to people with drug and alcohol abuse problems, including MOP services.
According to Jay Apicelli, Administrator of the Impaired Driver Services Bureau in New Hampshire, “The grant will run for four years to provide treatment programs for returning veterans, multiple DUI DWI offenders, and others who meet the eligibility requirements.”
“We’ve just gotten started,” Apicelli said. “Currently jobs have been posted to hire a director, a coordinator, and other personnel to run the programs. But we should be operational within a year.”
Hire a NH DWI Lawyer to avoid MOP
As soon as you’re charged with drunk driving, you need to consult with a DUI lawyer. Because of the legal complexities involved in such cases, a New Hampshire DWI defense attorney may be able to get your charges reduced or dropped, thereby avoiding the multiple offender program sentence and the high cost involved.
