Citation

Bloch SA, Ungerleider S. Eval. Program Plann. 1988; 11(3): 237-244.

Affiliation

Integrated Research Services, Eugene, OR 97401, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0149-7189(88)90019-5

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has frequently been characterized as a retributive organization that focuses its attention and energies on punishing the drinking driver. This image is examined in a survey of the leaders of 212 of MADD's 360 chapters nationwide. Analysis reveals that support does not exist for the contention that MADD is fundamentally retributive in nature. The victimization status of chapter founders or members does not determine the kinds of programs or orientations of local chapters. Support is also lacking for the proposition that MADD focuses its energies primarily on punishing the drinking driver. Evidence indicates that MADD's programmatic efforts are more focused on prevention than criminal justice or legislative activities. It is found, however, that while prevention is stressed on a programmatic level, punishment is considered the best solution to the drinking driving problem on the legislative level. The implications of these conflicting findings for MADD's future direction are discussed.