SMADIT – a joint action against alcohol and drugs in traffic

The fundamentals of the SMADIT model are that a person suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is offered immediate help with their abuse or hazardous use. If the person accepts the offer, the traffic police officer, or the civil servant at the Coast Guard or Customs, put the person in contact with the addiction and dependency treatment services.

Alcohol consumption and drug use are strong risk factors for traffic accidents. The aim of SMADIT is to identify people who need treatment and support for their alcohol or drug problems to reduce the number of relapses of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The goal is to decrease alcohol and drug-related traffic accidents on land and water by reducing the number of relapses.

SMADIT was founded in the late 90s, when the police noticed that many of those detained for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs were repeat offenders. In an attempt to reduce the number, the police and the regional addiction and dependency treatment services developed the SMADIT model, which has since spread across the country.

The core of SMADIT is local collaboration

The SMADIT model is based on a long-term and close partnership between societal stakeholders such as the police, regional and municipal authorities. The local conditions for working with SMADIT differ across the country, and therefore the stakeholders involved and the steps of the model can differ from one place to another. It is common to have a local SMADIT network who meets regularly to discuss and fine-tune the process chain.

Examples from two local SMADIT networks

We have produced two films that show examples of how to work with the model at local level. Click on the T icon to watch the videos with English subtitles.

A film about SMADIT in Västerbotten

The SMADIT model was born in Skellefteå, Västerbotten, in the late 90s. How does it work today and what has been learnt since the start? Watch the film about SMADIT in Västerbotten.

A film about SMADIT in Stockholm

In Stockholm - the police and the region are collaborating through a joint facility called the SMADIT facility. Watch the film about their work, challenges and factors for success.

SMADIT collaboration at national level

The Public Health Agency of Sweden is responsible for national coordination within the area of alcohol, narcotics, doping, tobacco and nicotine products, and gambling. As part of this responsibility we call together a group of social agencies at national level to collaborate on SMADIT. The national group consists of, for example, the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Police, Swedish Customs, the National Board of Health and Welfare and a representative of the County Administrative Boards. The national SMADIT collaboration focuses on overall issues, development and dissemination of knowledge about SMADIT.