Another Great Year! See you in Montebello, Canada in 2010! 

The 10th Annual Alcohol Interlock Symposium took place on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, Australia on October 25-28th, 2009. Hosted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation in partnership with VicRoads, this high-profile international event attracted 85 participants from more than 15 countries, including Canada, Japan, China, South Africa, Nigeria, Sweden, Finland, France, Belgium, Germany, Uganda, The Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, and of course Australia. A companion one-day impaired driving workshop, featuring alcohol interlocks, was also held in Melbourne following the symposium and attracted 120 interested drug and alcohol treatment professionals, judges and legal practitioners who were unable to attend the symposium. Thanks to the Victorian Association of Drink and Drug Driver Services for making the one-day workshop possible.

The theme for this year’s event was “Knowledge Transfer: Taking Research to Practice” which emphasized ways to encourage and support the implementation of evidence-based practices for alcohol interlock programs across jurisdictions. Following a well-attended introductory workshop for newcomers and opening reception Sunday evening, attendees turned their attention to the identification and development of effective strategies to bolster implementation efforts. Featured topics highlighted the impact of impaired driving on the justice system, effective treatment strategies and protocols, commercial drivers who combine drugs and alcohol, program implementation challenges and solutions, public policy and public health issues, and the management of indigent offenders.

The focus on interlock programs in Australia involved several program managers and illustrated opportunities for managers to work cooperatively across jurisdictions to strengthen and coordinate policies and practices. It was also proposed that meetings of program managers in conjunction with an Australian interlock symposium could greatly benefit efforts to increase communication, cooperation, and improve programs across the country.

Several influential and distinguished speakers, and knowledgeable discussion leaders attended the event and shared their knowledge, experiences, and expertise with attendees. Participants also had many opportunities to learn about initiatives in other jurisdictions, engage in dialogue and networking, and benefit from new perspectives.

TIRF and VicRoads would like to thank all of the speakers, discussion leaders, and participants who were able to partake in this important event and who helped to make it a success. Many thanks also to the sponsors for supporting this initiative to advance the field of alcohol interlocks. Presentations from the 2009 symposium are now available and the proceedings from this event will be available early in 2010.

We look forward to seeing everyone next year in Montebello, Canada in mid-October. Updated information regarding the 11th Annual International Alcohol Interlock will be posted here.