By: Associated Press//August 25, 2014//
APPLETON, Wis. (AP) — Outagamie County will use alcohol detection bracelets to monitor repeat drunken drivers in a special court program.
Post-Crescent Media reports the county received a $14,000 grant through two community foundations to buy five bracelets that detect alcohol levels through the wearer’s skin. Authorities will also buy three remote breath-testing devices for random alcohol testing.
Outagamie County’s Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court will use the bracelets to monitor people convicted of fourth and fifth drunken driving offenses. They’re highly sensitive and test every half hour. The treatment court coordinator says they will help deter offenders from drinking.
The court is a voluntary, alternative option for substance abuse offenders. Participants undergo treatment and counseling.
Other counties use the bracelets in family court cases or as conditions of pretrial bond release.
Information from: Post-Crescent Media, http://www.postcrescent.com