Authority of courts to refer defendants to education and/or treatment program.

In order to effect the purposes of this chapter, all courts exercising jurisdiction over alcohol and drug related offenses shall be authorized to refer a defendant to a court referral program for evaluation and referral to an appropriate education and/or treatment program. At a minimum, every defendant who is not referred directly to drug or alcohol treatment shall be required to complete an alcohol and drug education program certified by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(Acts 1990, No. 90-390, p. 537, §6.)