HOUSE MEMORIAL 47

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Emily Kane

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO UNDERTAKE A STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE 24/7 SOBRIETY AND DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a continuing problem with persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and

     WHEREAS, there is a high rate of recidivism by those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and

     WHEREAS, the number of persons who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs presents a grave public health crisis in the state; and

     WHEREAS, a Rand corporation study published in the American Journal of Public Health concluded that the 24/7 sobriety and drug monitoring program's frequent alcohol testing combined with swift, certain and modest sanctions for violations can reduce problem drinking and improve public health outcomes; and

     WHEREAS, the Rand corporation analysis provides strong evidence that the 24/7 sobriety and drug monitoring program, when applied to repeat driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs offenders and offenders of other crimes in which the abuse of alcohol or drugs is a factor, such as domestic violence, is successful in reducing arrests for those crimes; and

     WHEREAS, as a result of the success of the 24/7 sobriety and drug monitoring program, it has been authorized as a program for which impaired driving countermeasure incentive grant funding is available under federal law; and

     WHEREAS, the 24/7 program was implemented with noted success by South Dakota as part of the recent reform of its criminal justice system; and

     WHEREAS, the 24/7 program has also been implemented with great success in Montana and North Dakota; and

     WHEREAS, the Montana implementation of the 24/7 program was recently modified to require that the program meet evidence-based analytical standards; and

     WHEREAS, the legislative finance committee has been working with the Pew charitable trusts and the MacArthur foundation on evidence-based policymaking through the results first initiative;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative finance committee undertake an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 24/7 sobriety and drug monitoring program, including whether the stated goals of the program, such as whether twice- a-day testing is occurring and sanctions imposed are swift and certain, and report its findings to the appropriate legislative interim committee in the 2015 interim period; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the legislative finance committee.

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