In 2008, of the 37,261 fatal vehicle crashes occurring in the United States, 31% could be attributed to alcohol.  More specifically, between 2006 and 2008, the state of Missouri recorded 828 traffic fatalities due to alcohol or other drugs.  The Safety Council works with the state of Missouri, and county and local court systems to provide educational classes and monitoring in the areas of driving while intoxicated, driver improvement, stealing and other misdemeanor offenses. 

Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP)

The Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program (SATOP) mission is “to inform and educate drivers in Missouri for alcohol-and drug-related driving offenses as to the hazards and consequences of impaired driving, promote safe and responsible decision making regarding driving, motivate for personal change and growth, and contribute to public health.”  

The St. Joseph Safety and Health Council is a state-certified Offender Management Unit (OMU) which offers screening assessments (Driver Risk Inventory Screening) to determine the level of services needed for SATOP participants.  Assessments consist of: 

          Review of Department of Revenue Driving Record

          Review of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

          Administration of a computerized screening assessment

          Personal interview with a Qualified Substance Abuse Professional

Service levels offered by the Council:

Offender Education Program (OEP)
A 10-hour education course designed specifically to assist lower-risk, first time offenders.   

Weekend Intervention Program (WIP)
WIP is a level of service designed for repeat offenders, or “high-risk” first-time offenders consisting of 20-hours of intensive education and counseling intervention methods.  The program is conducted in a restrictive environment. 

Click here for the Current Schedule of Classes. 

PLEASE CONTACT THE SAFETY COUNCIL AT 816-233-3330 TO SCHEDULE A SCREENING APPOINTMENT OR TO REGISTER FOR THE OFFENDER EDUCATION PROGRAM (OEP) OR WEEKEND INTERVENTION PROGRAM (WIP).

Probation Services

In 1991, the Buchanan and area courts petitioned the St. Joseph Safety and Health Council to take on the responsibility for their Court Supervised Probation.  The Safety Council began offering the probation services by monitoring the conditions of probation as set forth by the courts.  Conditions of probation range from reporting monthly, maintaining gainful employment, restitution, community service hours, attending alcohol treatment, AA meetings or other educational programs, getting a GED for those without a high school diploma, to all other requirements as assigned. Individuals are normally placed on probation for a period ranging from six months to two years.

Those individuals placed on probation to the Safety Council are for various charges which include, but are not limited to, driving while intoxicated, possession of drugs, non-support, stealing, driving while suspended, bad checks, careless and imprudent driving, violation of order of protection, property damage, or unlawful use of a weapon.

To make an appointment for Probation Services please call the Council at (816) 233-3330.

Driver Improvement Program

The Safety Council offers the 8-hour, state-certified Driver Improvement Program.

Missouri Revised State Statute 302.202, passed in the fall of 2009, allows non-commercial drivers who have received a non-alcohol related moving violation to plead guilty, pay their fine and take the Driver Improvement Program. To be eligible for this option, tickets must be issued in a county that participates in the State of Missouri’s Fine Collection Center. 

To see if your county participates with this program, visit www.courts.mo.gov and click on Fine Collection Center.  A guilty plea is submitted by simply mailing the fine payment to the address on the back of the ticket, or by paying the fine on-line.   Once the fine is paid, individuals must complete the Driver Improvement Program within 60 days to keep the points off their driver’s license. 

Motorist receiving municipal traffic violations or violations in a county that does not participate in the program must still adhere to all conditions of the respective municipal or county court.  

The Driver Improvement Program curriculum used is the National Safety Council’s 8-Hour Defensive Driving Course and teaches drivers how to identify potential driving hazards in the attempt to decrease the risk of being involved in or causing a traffic crash.  This course may also be utilized by some insurance companies as a means to reduce insurance premiums for their clients.  Individuals interested in taking the course for this purpose should consult with their insurance agency to see if they qualify. 

Individuals wanting to take the Driver Improvement Program course must call at least one week prior to the class to enroll.  The cost of the class is $75 and payable to the St.  Joseph Safety and Health Council by certified check or money order.  For more information contact Sue Lober.

Click here for a Current Schedule of Classes.

Click here to register on-line.

Alive @ 25

The Alive at 25, 4-hour program is geared towards the younger driver between the ages of 16-25 challenging them in their attitude and decision making while stressing personal responsibility.

Click here for a Current Schedule of Classes.

Click here to register on-line.

Adult & Juvenile Stealing

The Adult and Juvenile Stealing classes are 4-hour programs offered to the courts for those people arrested for shoplifting.  The goal is to educate participants on the ramifications of stealing and the consequences for their actions.

Click here for a Current Schedule of Classes.

Click here to register on-line.

Adolescent Substance Abuse Program

Teens may be referred to the ASAP program by municipal courts or concerned parents so they may lean about both the legal and health consequences of underage drinking, as well as per pressure and other impacts of teen substance misuse and abuse. 

Click here for a Current Schedule of Classes.

Click here to register on-line.