MHSA │ DUIL

Middlesex DUIL

Substance use disorder education and treatment program

Tel: 978-863-0048

Fax: 978-863-9914

TTY/TDD: 978-863-9913

Frances Penney

Program Director

PO Box 149

Tewksbury, MA 01876

Alternative to incarceration

Repeat-OUI offenders given opportunity to make meaningful change, in lieu of jail time

14-day residential program

Two weeks of holistic substance use disorder education and treatment, plus after-care prep

Intensive, 24/7 support

Evidence-based clinical support for all clients, based on their individual strengths and needs

Program fees

Clients must pay program fees (exceptions may apply for those with limited income)

Important Notice for DUIL Clients

Before entering the DUIL program, you must review several important forms. To view these forms, click the button below. Please note: you may need a PDF viewer, such as Adobe Acrobat, to view the attached forms.

View forms

About the program

The Middlesex Driving Under the Influence of Liquor (DUIL) Program was founded in 1985 to provide an educational and counseling-based alternative to incarceration for those convicted of a second offense of Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since that time, it has served more than 42,000 clients, over 98% of whom have completed the program successfully. The DUIL Program is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.

The DUIL Program accepts clients via direct referral from the Massachusetts Trial Court, where convicted individuals may opt for the DUIL program in lieu of an extended jail sentence. DUIL also accepts clients between the ages of 18 and 21 convicted of a first offence under “Melanie's Law,” as well as occasional self-referrals and special referrals from the courts. DUIL maintains frequent communication with probation officers throughout the state.

With the use of evidence-based treatment practices and a commitment to cultural competency, DUIL offers clients a structured, didactic and motivational program which provides the education and support necessary for clients to achieve three primary objectives: 1) to engage in an honest self-assessment of their relationship with alcohol and/or other substances; 2) to develop individualized goals that are either abstinence-based or rooted in harm reduction; and 3) to understand and consider the impact of high-risk behaviors, such as OUI offenses, on public safety.

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