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All chemical dependency (CD) treatment
agencies and DUI Assessment Services should standardize the manner in which assessments
are communicated to the court by using the attached “CD Assessment Summary” as
the cover document for all assessment and treatment recommendations provided in
regard to pending court cases. The agency may
also submit a narrative report, to accompany the Summary form, at their discretion.
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Consent for the Release of Confidential
Information for all courts should be secured from persons seeking an assessment for
court-related purposes before an assessment is conducted.
If such release is not authorized, such assessment may not be forwarded by
the agency to any court or probation department but only to such persons as are authorized
by the client.
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All DUI/PC related assessments should include
review and consideration of a current Department of Licensing (DOL) abstract and a current
criminal history to be obtained from the Court. Current
is defined as “obtained no more than 14 days prior to the assessment date.”
Should courts not provide this information, assessment entities should make note of this
on the assessment form.
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All DUI/PC related assessments should include
consideration of the breath or blood test readings (unless
patient had refused to take such a test).
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Agencies’ treatment recommendations must
be individualized in accordance with requirements set forth in WAC 440-22 and utilize ASAM
PPC in determining appropriate level of care and estimated length of treatment service.
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Every effort should be made by the assessing
counselor to obtain and evaluate information from collateral and alternate sources. If not obtainable, the circumstances preventing
such efforts should be reported to the court.
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When questions of patient reporting accuracy
or honesty arise, it should be noted. Assessment
personnel should contact the court to verify information.
In addition, assessment personnel should attempt to obtain a copy of the
police report if any doubt or uncertainty arises with regard to a patient’s
description of the offense and whether a breath or blood test was refused.
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A urinalysis should be requested at the time
of assessment if indicated by the patient’s history in the judgment of the assessing
counselor.
