DUI/DWI offenders in Sumas are sometimes given the option to participate in an alcohol and drug treatment program instead of punishment for their drug or alcohol related criminal offenses. The punishment for these kinds of offenses can ordinarily be quite severe, and may include jail time and significant fines and even absorbitant costs associated with being prosecuted and/or found guilty of DUI/DWI. Many times, especially for first time offenders, the criminal justice system finds that addressing the problems of drug or alcohol addiction in treatment is going to be more effective in the long term for full handling the problem. For DUI/DWI offenders in Sumas that are lucky enough to be able to take part in this rehab process instead of other additional extreme punishment, most will remain out of the court system permanently.