What is the Florida Safety Council?
The Florida Safety Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing injuries across the Sunshine State.
Citizens founded the council in 1953, with the goal of making roads safer for everyone. In the years since, the council grew to include workplace safety, alcohol-related programs, behavioral management for young people, and public service campaigns.
Although the council provides all of these services, many people know the organization for its Driving Under the Influence (DUI) programs. When drivers receive citations or get into accidents for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the courts often refer offenders to the Safety Council. The Council then requires citizens to complete specific courses, depending on the nature of the offense, how many times a person received DUIs, and the goal of the courses.
LifeStance Health and the Florida Safety Council
LifeStance Health provides many of the classes and services for court-ordered treatment. In partnership with the Florida Safety Council, people can find all of the following at LifeStance Health:
- SAP evaluation
- Urinanalysis
- Psychiatric services
- Group classes
Not only can these services meet the court-ordered requirements, but they improve lives. People often get DUI citations due to substance addiction, which is a serious mental disorder. LifeStance Health provides compassionate care for people who live with abuse.
In some cases, these DUI services help patients avoid trial and the many sentences that a guilty verdict can bring. Other times, drivers come to these courses as part of their sentences. No matter the situation, LifeStance Health ensures legal compliance and personal compassion.
What Happens During a DUI Treatment Class
DUI treatment classes aim to educate attendees on the dangers of driving under the influence, address the need for addiction treatment, and discuss ways to make safer choices. The exact nature of the discussion depends on which type of class the court orders. Goals include:
- Understanding Florida driving laws, such as those regarding open container and blood alcohol levels
- Determine whether a person needs addiction treatment
- Educating attendees on the effects that drugs and alcohol have on decision making, reaction times, and driving
- Give people tools to help them avoid these situations in the future
- Review the court system as it relates to DUIs
- Help people understand the emotional, physical, and societal impacts of their decisions
The ultimate goal is to end impaired driving and make Florida roads safer for everyone.
Masters-level therapists lead each DUI treatment class that the Florida Safety Council approves. These educators use group discussions, lectures, slideshows, and videos to meet the goals of the class. Some courses require more group participation than others, but attendees should always come prepared to discuss these issues with the group of peers.
Courses can get uncomfortable as attendees struggle with guilt, anger, sadness, and any number of other emotions. The educators can give attendees the space to feel these emotions and ways to cope with them.
If courts order you to attend DUI treatment courses through the Florida Safety Council, your first step is to make an appointment with the Safety Council. Their contact information is available online by clicking here. Safety Council will begin the process and refer you to LifeStance Health. We will guide you through the legal requirements and meet you with compassionate care. Call one of our treatment centers today to see which classes you need.