DUI/DWI offenders in Sturbridge are occasionally given the opportunity to take part in a drug rehabilitation program as opposed to receiving other penalties for their drug or alcohol related crimes. The punishment for these kinds of crimes can occasionally be quite extreme, including incarceration and substantial fines and various absorbitant costs associated with being in court for and/or convicted of DUI/DWI. More often than not, particularly for initial offenders, the judge finds that addressing the issues of alcohol and drug abuse in drug or alcohol rehab is a better decision in the long term for effectively addressing the issue. For DUI/DWI offenders in Sturbridge who are lucky enough to be able to participate in such treatment in lieu of other far more serious penalties, a great number will stay out of the court system permanently.