SCRAM(R) Achieves Multiple Milestones In Fight Against Alcohol Abuse And DUI

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 30 Nov 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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SCRAM(R), or the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor that is manufactured and marketed by Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc. (AMS), has achieved exceptional market acceptance and adoption by judicial court systems and corrections agencies throughout the United States for its ability to continuously monitor alcohol offenders. The SCRAM system includes a high-tech alcohol detection bracelet -- which offenders wear on their ankles 24 x7 during a court-specified time period -- that samples the individual's sweat every hour to check for alcohol consumption. This non-invasive method uses transdermal analysis to provide continuous and accurate monitoring for alcohol, and is the first and only fact-based tool for evaluating whether or not offenders are staying sober during their court-induced sentences.

Since AMS began shipping SCRAM in 2003, it is now being used by more than 750 courts and agencies in 40 states. Cumulative SCRAM statistics indicate how well it is making inroads in the market and is surpassing all previous industry product rollouts:

-- Over 50.1 million alcohol tests performed

-- More than 26,000 offenders monitored

-- Over 2 million days of offender monitoring

-- More than 4,000 offenders monitored each day

-- Average of 25 tests performed per day/offender

-- Average of 1788 tests/per offender during an average monitoring period

"We are extremely pleased by how quickly and thoroughly SCRAM has been adopted in the market," explains AMS Chairman and CEO Mike Iiams. "It not only confirms that we're doing something right -- but that judges, district attorneys, corrections officers, sheriff departments, and other agencies that are dealing with habitual alcohol offenders are realizing that continuous monitoring is the only effective and reliable way to ensure continuous offender accountability. But even though we've grown faster than any other company in our market, we know that we still have a long way to go to have a widespread impact on alcohol-related offenses -- like DUI and domestic abuse."

The courts that utilize SCRAM confirm that continuous monitoring is a viable solution. "One of the most important decisions I have to make when an offender is in front of my court is how to best mitigate risk and avoid future alcohol-related violations by this individual," explained Judge Michael Barrasse of the 45th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas for Lakawanna County (Scranton), Pennsylvania. "By putting an alcohol offender on SCRAM, I'm confident that I'm doing the most I can to protect the safety of my community, and know that this person will now be continuously monitored around the clock."

The City and County of Denver, CO has made SCRAM a permanent component of its alcohol offender management program and, to date, has monitored over 700 offenders using SCRAM. According to Marilyn Rosenberg, Electronic Monitoring Program Director, "We now have over 150 SCRAM bracelets in our program. Since we've implemented SCRAM, we've experienced a significant reduction in drinking violations while offenders are on the system. We feel that SCRAM is helping alcohol offenders become more accountable for their actions."

About Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.

Established in 1997, Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc. manufactures SCRAM(R), the world's only continuous alcohol testing system that uses transdermal analysis to monitor alcohol consumption. SCRAM fully automates the alcohol testing and reporting process, providing courts and community corrections agencies with the ability to classify offenders and assess compliance with sentencing requirements and treatment guidelines. Alcohol Monitoring Systems employs 47 people across the U.S., and is a privately-held company headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.
http://www.alcoholmonitoring.com/