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.
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.