When most people hear "DUII," they picture a breath test and a blood alcohol number. So it can come as a real shock to be arrested after smoking a joint at a friend's place in Bend, taking a pill that was not prescribed to you, or mixing a couple of beers with something else before getting behind the wheel. A common first reaction is some version of, "But I wasn't drunk."
If that is where you are right now, take a breath. A DUII that involves cannabis or another drug is serious, but it is also a well-worn path in Oregon, and there is a clear way through it. This guide explains how drugs other than alcohol fit into Oregon's DUII system, why drug-impaired driving is more common than most people think, what the process tends to look like in Central Oregon, and how to use this moment as more than a box to check.
Oregon's DUII Law Is About More Than Alcohol
Oregon's offense is called Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and the "intoxicants" part matters. The DUII statute, ORS 813.010, has long covered being under the influence of cannabis and controlled substances, not only alcohol, along with combinations of substances. Cannabis being legal for adults 21 and older in Oregon does not change that. Legal to buy is not the same as legal to drive on.
Every case is different, and only an attorney can advise you on the legal side of yours. What we can tell you is that people come to DUII education and treatment after drug-related arrests all the time, and the steps that follow are much the same as for an alcohol DUII.
Drug-Impaired Driving Is More Common Than People Think
Many people assume driving high is rare, or at least much less common than drinking and driving. The numbers say it is not rare at all. A CDC report using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that in 2018, about 12 million people in the United States aged 16 or older, 4.7 percent, said they had driven under the influence of marijuana in the past year. About 2.3 million, or 0.9 percent, reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs other than marijuana, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin. For comparison, 8.0 percent, about 20.5 million people, reported driving under the influence of alcohol.
The same report found that driving under the influence of marijuana was most common among people aged 21 to 25. It also noted an important limit: the survey measured what people said they did, not impairment confirmed by testing.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes drugged driving as unsafe in the same way drunk driving is, and its Drugged Driving DrugFacts report that after alcohol, marijuana is the drug most often found in the blood of drivers involved in crashes. NIDA also points out that measuring how many crashes drugs cause is hard, partly because there is no simple roadside test for drug levels the way there is for alcohol.
Why "I Felt Fine" Is Not the Whole Story
One of the most common things people say after a cannabis DUII is that they felt completely fine to drive. That feeling is worth looking at honestly, not because you should be ashamed of it, but because it is part of what makes drug-impaired driving so easy to slip into.
- Feeling normal can mislead. People who use often may not feel high, and that feeling is not the same as a clear head behind the wheel.
- Edibles are unpredictable. Effects can take a while to start and can last much longer than expected, so someone may drive at exactly the wrong time.
- Combinations add up. Mixing cannabis with alcohol, or with sedating medications, can affect driving more than any one substance on its own.
- Prescriptions are not a free pass. Some prescribed medications can make driving unsafe, especially when you first start them or take more than directed. If a medication makes you drowsy or foggy, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about driving.
None of this means you are a bad person. It means the line between "fine" and "impaired" is harder to feel than most people think.
What Usually Happens After a Drug-Related DUII in Central Oregon
The steps after an arrest are broadly the same whether the substance was alcohol, cannabis, or something else. Our guide on what happens after a DUII in Deschutes County walks through the whole process in detail, including diversion, but the short version looks like this:
- The court process starts. Depending on your history and your case, you may be eligible for diversion or may go through the regular court process. Your attorney can explain your options.
- You complete an evaluation. A court-designated evaluator assesses your substance use and decides whether you need DUII education or treatment.
- You choose a provider. Once your evaluation is done, the choice of an OHA-certified provider for your education or treatment is yours.
- You complete your requirement. Your provider tracks your attendance and progress and, with your written consent, reports what the court or evaluator needs.
If your evaluation shows a lower level of need, you are likely to be referred to education. If it shows more going on, you are likely to be referred to treatment. Either way, the goal is the same: making sure this does not happen again.
When the DUII Points to Something Bigger
For some people, a drug-related DUII really was a one-time lapse in judgment. For others, it is the first time something that has been quietly growing becomes impossible to ignore. Both are worth taking seriously.
It can help to ask yourself a few honest questions. Do you use most days? Have you tried to cut back and found it harder than you expected? Do you need cannabis or another substance to sleep, relax, or get through the day? Has anyone close to you been worried? If some of those answers are yes, the DUII may be a chance to deal with something that was going to need attention anyway.
If cannabis is part of your story, our post on cannabis use disorder in Central Oregon explains what it is and how it is treated. And if your use is not causing major problems yet but you can feel it heading that way, early intervention at ASAM Level 0.5 is a lighter-touch place to start.
DUII Education and Treatment at Rock Recovery
Rock Recovery offers OHA-certified DUII education and treatment under Certificate of Approval #001776, from our office at 1243 SW Highland Ave, Suite C in Redmond. DUII education and treatment classes meet Fridays, 5pm to 6pm and 6:30pm to 7:30pm, so you can work your shift and still get it done. People come to us from Bend, Prineville, Madras, Sisters, La Pine, Terrebonne, and across Central Oregon.
What makes the experience different here is that DUII work is part of the same team that provides outpatient substance use treatment, peer support from certified recovery mentors, and care for co-occurring concerns like anxiety and depression. If your evaluation calls for education, we help you finish it well. If it calls for treatment, or if you decide you want more support than the court requires, you do not have to start over somewhere new.
Shawn and Eugene Reece, who lead Rock Recovery, are both in recovery themselves, and many of our staff bring lived experience. We know a DUII can feel humiliating. You will not be judged here. We accept the Oregon Health Plan, Medicare, and most private insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a DUII in Oregon for cannabis?
Yes. Oregon's DUII law covers being under the influence of intoxicants, which includes cannabis and controlled substances, not only alcohol. Cannabis being legal for adults does not make it legal to drive while impaired. An attorney can advise you on the details of your case.
How common is driving under the influence of marijuana?
A CDC report found that in 2018, about 12 million people in the United States aged 16 or older, or 4.7 percent, reported driving under the influence of marijuana in the past year. It was most common among people aged 21 to 25.
Is the DUII process different if it was drugs and not alcohol?
The broad steps are much the same: the court process, an evaluation that decides whether you need education or treatment, choosing a certified provider, and completing your requirement. Your attorney can explain anything specific to your case.
When are Rock Recovery's DUII classes?
DUII education and treatment classes meet Fridays, 5pm to 6pm and 6:30pm to 7:30pm, at our office in Redmond.
Does insurance cover DUII treatment?
Rock Recovery accepts the Oregon Health Plan, Medicare, and most private insurance. Our team can check your benefits before you start so you know what to expect.
One Plan. One Team. The Whole Way Through.
A DUII is a hard day, but it does not have to define you. Rock Recovery brings DUII education and treatment, outpatient counseling, peer support, and care for what is underneath together under one team, so you can meet your requirement and, if you want it, get real support for whatever comes next.
Whether you have a deadline coming up or just have questions, reach out through our contact form or call us at (541) 234-3081. We will meet you where you are.
