DUI Judge: “Do As I Say, Not As I Do”

Again, as this story demonstrates, alcohol abuse does not discriminate on any basis - race, gender or class. A Nevada judge from Washoe County learned this lesson the hard way. Reno police arrested Buffy Jo Dreiling on DUI charges after she crashed her car. Fortunately, there are no injuries. Here’s the rub - Dreiling presides over the Family Drug Court. According to its website, “[t]he mission of the Family Drug Court is through a collaborative effort, to ensure a child has a safe and nurturing environment by focusing on healthy and sober parenting and permanency planning through family reunification.” The story is here. Hmm. According to the Nevada State Bar’s website, the continuing legal education requirement for Nevada lawyers is 12 hours per year, including 2 hours of ethics. I see no requirement for classes on the prevention of substance abuse. Maybe there should be.

RETURN TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE CLE

California Attorney May Lose License – Allegedly Drunk In Court

Beer

This is unfortunate. Last May a California attorney was accused of being drunk in court. The attorney, Michelle Winspur, is a criminal defense attorney who must now answer to the California State Bar. The story is here. Ms. Winspur denies the allegations.

Sadly, the above story reports other alcohol related incidents in which she has been involved. This story here reports more, including a missed court appearance and alleged DUI. See the video here.

Attorneys in California who need help with substance abuse issues may contact the Lawyer Assistance Program(LAP). LAP was established by the California Legislature. It is a confidential service of the State Bar of California, staffed by professionals with many years of experience.

LAP provides assistance to attorneys whose personal or professional life is being detrimentally impacted by substance abuse, other compulsive behaviors, and/or mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.

LAP includes: individual counseling, expert assessment and consultation, assistance with arrangements for intensive treatment, monitored continuing care, random lab testing, professionally facilitated support groups, and peer support groups.

The program also works with family members, friends, colleagues, judges and other court staff who wish to obtain help for an impaired attorney. Financial assistance is available so that no one is prevented from participating in the program due to financial limitations.

Attorneys may self-refer into this program or may be referred as the result of an investigation or disciplinary proceeding. Participation in the LAP is strictly and absolutely confidential. No information concerning participation in the program can be released without the attorney’s prior written consent.

More can be found here.

Return to Substance Abuse CLE.

Take the "Alcohol Myths and Facts" Quiz by WebMd

The Drunk Lawyer Blog suggests you check out a fun and fast quiz offered by WebMd.

The quiz is entitled “Alcohol Myths and Facts” and only takes a minute. After each question you will be told whether you answered correctly, and given an explanation. You will also be given a score upon completion. We won’t spoil it by giving away any answers, but suffices to say that what you learn may surprise you!

The link to the quiz is here.

Return to Substance Abuse CLE!

Attorneys and Depression

The Wall Street Journal has an excellent article called “Why Do Lawyers Get Depressed?” You can find it here.

The study of lawyers and depression is an important endeavor because lawyers have traditionally suffered higher rates of alcohol abuse and alcoholism than the general public. In 1991, studies showed that lawyers had twice the rate of addiction to alcohol than the general population. In 2000, it was estimated that 15 to 17 percent of California attorneys were alcoholics, or about one out of every six attorneys. In comparison, nearly 14 million Americans, or one in every 13 adults, abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. These statistics are concerning, because alcohol abuse can interfere with an attorney’s professional duties.

The Wall Street Journal article reveals that lawyers suffer depression at rates that are 3.6 times higher than other professions.

One cause may surprise you. Lawyers are trained to be analytical and critical thinkers, which makes us pessimists. Pessimism leads to unhappiness. To combat this, psychologist Martin E. P. Seligman recommends that firms reward attorneys with a change of pace from “drudgery” and offer exciting work assignments when possible.

Here is a short video about depression in the legal profession.

Here is a site devoted to attorneys with depression.

Public Service Announcement on Depression


Return to Substance Abuse CLE

California Attorney Arrested On Suspicion Of Smuggling Drugs Into Prison

Illegal drugs can be the downfall of many, and in many different ways. Take attorney Kenneth Markman of Los Angeles for instance. Last month Markman was arrested after a police dog caught the scent of a bundle of illegal drugs in his possession inside the Criminal Courts Building.

Apparently, the dog alerted on Markman as he was waiting to speak his client inside the court jail. The canine caught the scent of heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana, valued at around $30,000. The story is here.



Return to Substance Abuse CLE!

Iowa Lawyer Charged With Possession of Crack

An attorney from Cedar Rapids has been charged with possession of a controlled substance after he allegedly obtained crack cocaine from a police informant. The attorney, Stanley Roush, is 52 years old. The story is here.

The legal profession provides one with a fulfilling career, to be sure. But it also includes a fair amount of stress, which can lead to substance abuse and even addiction.

The Iowa Lawyers Assistance Program reports the following “sobering” facts:

• Lawyers abuse alcohol at a 50- 80% higher rate than the general population.

• The incidence of depression among lawyers is twice as high as in the general population.

• According to a recent report of the ABA, studies indicate that more than 50 percent of all disciplinary cases involve impaired lawyers.

• The incidence of malpractice insurance claims are significantly higher among impaired attorneys.

• Lawyers suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction or depression often deny that they have problem.

Attorneys in Iowa who wish to speak to someone in confidence about substance abuse issues may contact the Iowa Lawyers Assistance Program.



Return to Substance Abuse CLE

Lawyers and Substance Abuse an International Concern

Twenty-four percent of attorneys will suffer from alcohol abuse problems during their careers. That was one of the statistics discussed recently at an international conference of behavioral health professionals in Ireland. The story is here.

It is thought by many that stress is the number one contributing factor to this high figure. In fact, many studies have found significant but relatively small associations between stress in the workplace and elevated levels of alcohol consumption. For example, one early study data reported that employees’ reasons for drinking were found to be associated with stress-inducing job characteristics, but the correlations were weak. A national survey of employed persons found that lower job satisfaction and higher job stress both were risks for increased drinking. Another study found significant associations between employee alcohol use and lower job satisfaction, less faith in management, and lower involvement with and commitment to the job. There are significant associations between drinking and job burnout, and negative associations between employee drinking behavior and job autonomy and job satisfaction.

Attorneys are not the only professionals who suffer from higher rates of substance abuse. According to statistics revealed at the international conference, doctors are also three times more likely to develop liver cirrhosis than the general population.

Attorneys who are seeking help for their substance abuse problems can usually turn to their respective state bar associations. For instance, the mission of the State Bar of California’s Lawyer Assistance Program is to support recovering attorneys in their rehabilitation and competent practice of the law, enhance public protection, and maintain the integrity of the legal profession.

Many states also require attorneys to complete continuing legal education requirements in the prevention of substance abuse.

Return to Substance Abuse CLE