YDAD Program

Educating on the consequences of drinking and driving

The Youth Drug Alcohol Deterrence Program (YDAD) is an impactful initiative designed to educate adults and youths about the severe consequences of drinking and driving and foster informed and responsible decision-making.

The program features three powerful elements: a sobering talk by a coroner who shares real-life stories of lives lost due to impaired driving, a guided visit to a hospital trauma unit to witness firsthand the physical toll such accidents can inflict, and comprehensive awareness sessions on the effects of alcohol and drug on the mind and body.

By combining these experiences, the program highlights the immediate dangers of impaired driving and emphasizes its ripple effects on families, communities, and victims. Through vivid and emotional engagement, participants are empowered to make safer, more responsible choices in their everyday lives.

Each of the program elements is three to four hours. In addition to the program elements, a 1,000 essay is required along with an exit survey. This program is offered to Youth 10-21 years of age and adults who are DUI multiple offenders 21 years of age and older.

Person sitting on a bench wearing a "Choose Love" t-shirt with colorful text, in a bustling outdoor setting.

  • Participants hear hard-hitting facts and statistics about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. They show real-life fatalities and tell stories about second-degree murder cases and other poignant information that provides a reality check. They also participate in a drunk goggle exercise where they perform a roadside alcohol evaluation test simulating varying levels of intoxication. They are given an exercise and instructed to write their own obituary as if they were killed at the hands of a drunk driver. The class concludes with real-life stories from former addicts about the path their lives took because of years of drug and alcohol abuse.

  • A Senior LA County Coroner with over 20 years of combined experience in law enforcement teaches the Coroners Class. He explains the physical effects of alcohol and drug use along with the legal ramifications of operating a vehicle under the influence. The instructor demystifies laws about drinking and driving and then shows a slide presentation depicting recent DUI fatalities and how the accidents as well as the victims are investigated and processed, and the participants listen to the stories behind the fatalities.

  • Participants meet at a local area level 3 trauma unit where they spend 4 hours witnessing patients who were involved in alcohol-related incidents and listening to experts from the trauma unit, seeing videos about the effects of alcohol and drugs, and tour hospital departments.

  • Every participant is assigned a 1,000-word essay in which to reflect on the event itself, how it has impacted their life, and the changes they have made because of completing the YDAD program.

    The essay format

    Paragraph on the night of the arrest event describes what happened, how you felt, how it impacted your family, life and what happened at court

    Paragraph on each of the three classes attended

    1. Drug and Alcohol Awareness Class (describe classes, add description on activities and video)

    2. Sheriff-Coroner Morgue Class (describe classes, add description on activities and video)

    3. Hospital Trauma Unit Class. Describe classes, add description on activities and video.

    Conclusion - How has this experience changed your life, what you learned from the program and what is different?

How to Start the Program

  • Please go to OneOC, 1901 East 4th Street #100, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Bring your court paperwork, a government issued ID. The registration fee will be $245.

  • Visit your local Court Referral Center to get a referral to the Responsible Choices Program at OneOC.

  • Transfers must be completed in person. Transfer fees vary depending on the county to which you are transferring.

    Please note that if you need an extension, you must submit your request directly to the court in writing or return to Orange County to appear in person.

    Caltrans Cases

    • Caltrans cases can only be transferred to select California counties.

    • Contact OneOC to determine whether your destination county accepts Caltrans transfers.

    • Caltrans transfers must be completed in person.

    YDAD Cases

    • YDAD cases may only be transferred to Los Angeles County.

    If you do not have access to a computer, you may request a transfer by mail.

    Please send:

    • A letter requesting the transfer

    • A copy of your court order

    • A color copy of your valid ID

    A OneOC Client Specialist will mail you the required transfer paperwork.

    Payment must be made by money order or cashier's check.

    Mailing Address:
    OneOC, 1901 E. 4th Street, Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92705