---
title: "Are drug DUI penalties harsher than alcohol DUI in Rhode Island?"
description: "Often, yes. A conviction for being under the influence of a drug is sentenced in the same tier as a BAC of 0.15 or higher under § 31-27-2(d)(1)(iii), (d)(2)(ii), and (d)(3)(ii). In a drug-only case,..."
url: https://riduilaws.com/faq-items/are-drug-dui-penalties-harsher-than-alcohol-dui-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-10-29
modified: 2026-10-29
author: "RI DUI Laws"
type: faq
lang: en
---

# Are drug DUI penalties harsher than alcohol DUI in Rhode Island?

Often, yes. A conviction for being under the influence of a drug is sentenced in the same tier as a BAC of 0.15 or higher under § 31-27-2(d)(1)(iii), (d)(2)(ii), and (d)(3)(ii). In a drug-only case, the judge can substitute blood and urine testing for the interlock under § 31-27-2(d)(9). The other differences are evidentiary (no per se threshold for drugs, different test methods).

Are drug DUI penalties harsher than alcohol DUI in Rhode Island?[RI DUI Laws](https://riduilaws.com/author/admin_xxgjem88/)2026-10-29T22:36:40+00:00