Indiana Rules for Court-Administered Alcohol & Drug Programs

Section 31. Substance Use Education Standards

Effective May 15, 2025

(a) This section applies to all substance use education courses that a court alcohol and drug program requires a client to complete, regardless of whether the court program offers the substance use education course directly to the client, by contract, or by referral.

(b) A program must have written policies and procedures describing:

(1) the different substance use education courses it provides to clients; and

(2) the procedure for determining placement of a client into a course pursuant to Section 22(d).

(c) The following substance use education courses are authorized for court alcohol and drug program clients:

(1) Substance Use Information. A course that provides clients with at least eight hours of information on substance use issues that is documented by research.

(2) Basic Substance Use Education. A course that includes at least ten hours of cognitive-based substance use education that:

(A) is documented by research; and

(B) contains a substance use self-assessment module.

(3) Advanced Substance Use Education.* A course that includes at least 20 hours of cognitive-based substance use education that:

(A) is documented by research;

(B) contains a substance use self-assessment module; and

(C) is designed primarily for those with a substance use disorder.

(d) CADPAC has approved substance use education courses developed by:

(1) Prime for Life

(2) The Change Companies

(3) Any substance use education curriculum developed and provided by a Division of Mental Health and Addiction certified provider.

A certified court alcohol and drug program may petition CADPAC to adopt for use additional curricula that are listed on the Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center or have been reviewed and deemed effective based on research by contacting IOCS and requesting to be placed on the next CADPAC meeting agenda to present the curriculum to the Committee for approval.

(e) The program may employ program staff or contractors to teach substance use education courses provided the individual meets the requirements for a court substance abuse instructor. The program director must approve the instructor’s qualifications. A court substance abuse instructor must meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

(1) substance use expertise demonstrated by any of the following:

(A) designation as a professional staff member under Section 30;

(B) certification by the Indiana Counselors Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA); or

(C) other substance use qualifications, including personal experience or certification by another professional organization, that the program director considers to be acceptable;

(2) criminal justice expertise, which includes knowledge of and experience dealing with courts and the criminal justice system,

(3) training and experience as a teacher or instructor, and

(4) trained or credentialed to deliver the curriculum in compliance with all specifications required by the curriculum provider.