Keep in mind that someone who gets a DUI probably hasn't driven drunk only the number of times he was caught. They have probably done it a lot and will keep doing it until he has found good reason to stop. Opponents of the bill say it is not well thought-out. They say an intensive treatment program is not effective because it's isolated from the real world, where neon signs from a corner bar and froth from a cold beer easily entice a person with an alcohol problem. Still, those same opponents think people sent to a 28-day facility might respond to treatment.
Opponents also say there is no room to house or add treatment programs.
But with the money saved in prison costs, new treatment centers tailored for repeat DUI offenders could be developed. Grosfield was on to something. Maybe a compromise between jail time and treatment is in order. If it's possible to root out the problem, it certainly wouldn't hurt to try. There is more at stake than just teaching DUI offenders a lesson.