Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Services (ADES) are now Alcohol and Other Drug Screening Specialists (ADSS)
Drivers who enter into Oregon’s DUI diversion program and/or drivers who are convicted of DUI in Oregon are required to have a alcohol and drug evaluation. This process used to be called an “ADES Evaluation” (an Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Services evaluation). Informally, the names can be used interchangeably.
What is the Process for an Alcohol and Other Drug Screening Specialists (ADSS) Evaluation?
Regardless of the recent name change, the evaluation process remains generally the same. It consists of a series of questions via a written questionnaire and a relatively short oral interview, in order to determine the driver’s use of drugs and/or alcohol. The evaluations typically cost $150.00. It’s important to note that even though the phrase “Alcohol and Other Drug Screening Specialists (ADSS)” refers to “drugs” and most drivers who receive a DUI were using alcohol only– and were not using or under the influence of any other drugs– the alcohol and drug evaluation is still required. For a list of all the ADSS evaluators in the entire state, you can review the official Alcohol & Other Drug Screening Specialists (ADSS) directory dated June 1, 2020, put out by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Defendants must pay $150 for the evaluation. The evaluation is authorized and structured by ORS 813.021 and ORS 813.240. The details of ADSS evaluations and requirements for ADSS evaluators are codified in the Oregon Administrative Rules, Oregon Health Authority Health Systems Division: Addiction Services – Chapter 415, Division 54.
What Happens After the Alcohol and Other Drug Screening Specialists (ADSS) Evaluation?
Generally there are two outcomes from an ADSS evaluation: (1) The court-approved ADSS evaluator will find that DUI education or information is sufficient for the defendant, or (2) the court-approved ADSS evaluator will find that the defendant needs DUI treatment. The primary difference between “DUI education” or “DUI information” and “DUI treatment” is the amount of time a defendant must spend in classes. The classes are offered by various treatment providers and everyone who has an ADSS evaluation will be referred to some form of classes. The shortest commitment is 4 weeks, and the longest commitment is generally 12 weeks. It’s important to note that much of the ADSS evaluation is dictated by law as opposed to therapeutic science or the professional discretion of a dedicated therapist. Individuals who may have an alcohol or drug abuse problem should not assume that an ADSS evaluation is a substitute for a comprehensive evaluation by a dedicated drug or alcohol counselor. The ADSS evaluation is arguably exclusively a legal requirement imposed by the criminal justice system that must be satisfied for completion of diversion, probation terms, or to reinstate driving privileges.
What if I Don’t Live in Oregon?
If you live out of state or are otherwise planning to do your treatment in a state other than Oregon (e.g. you might be moving while on diversion or probation), the most important thing you need to do is stay in close communication with the Oregon court-approved evaluator to make sure that they will approve of the treatment provider/program that you use in another state. It’s not satisfactory or sufficient that the treatment provider/program in another state is approved in that particular state, that they come highly recommended, that they are expensive, that they are thorough, that they offer in-patient treatment as opposed to out-patient treatment, or even that it’s arguably a better treatment program than what might be available in Oregon. The treatment program must either offer a program that complies with Oregon’s administrative rules or create a custom program for you that will meet the requirements of the Oregon administrative rules. If the treatment provider/program you go to does not satisfy these rules, you will never have your diversion completed as successful (meaning your diversion could be revoked, and you’d face a conviction, and all the additional sanctions and consequences that come with that), you will not have your probation completed as successful (meaning your probation could be revoked, and you’d face a probation violation, and all the additional sanctions and consequences that come with that), plus you will never get your driving privileges back.
Where Do I Go For DUI Treatment in Oregon?
You’ve got lots of options. Candidly, because DUI is about the most common criminal charge in the State of Oregon each year, drug and alcohol treatment services are so profitable that there are probably more drug and alcohol treatment centers in Portland than there are McDonald’s fast-food restaurants in Portland.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Health Systems Division (HSD) sets the certification and service standards for Alcohol and Other Drug Screening Specialists (ADSS) and DUII services providers, and monitors them for compliance. For a list of state-approved treatment providers, you can review the Oregon Substance Use Disorders Services Directory dated June 1, 2020. For more information generally, check out our Oregon DUI treatment page.
Where is My ADES or ADSS Evaluation in Portland?
For quick reference, the Multnomah County (Portland) Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Services (ADES) evaluator is:
Alcohol & Drug Evaluation Services of Portland
506 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 611
Portland, Oregon 97204
503-719-5741
For quick reference, the Clackamas County (Milwaukee & Oregon City) Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Services (ADES) evaluator is:
Pioneer Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Services (PADES)
708 Main Street, Suite 205
Oregon City, Oregon 97045
503-722-5250
For quick reference, the Washington County (Beaverton & Hillsboro) Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Services (ADES) evaluator is:
Drug and Alcohol Evaluation Services
150 NE 3rd Avenue, Suite B
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
503-648-3800
For quick reference, the Deschutes County (Bend & Redmond) Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Services (ADES) evaluator is:
Central Oregon Evaluation Services
1045 NW Bond Street suite 207
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-550-7780