HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 42

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas C. Taylor

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE STUDY CREATION OF A STATE-OPERATED GROUP OF LOW-SECURITY FACILITIES FOR THE INCARCERATION AND TREATMENT OF MULTIPLE DWI OFFENDERS.

     WHEREAS, in 1994, San Juan county decided to take assertive action to fight its serious DWI problem, and the result was a savings of over ninety-three million dollars ($93,000,000) in economic costs; and

     WHEREAS, the county's DWI treatment program focuses on first-time offenders and includes not only twenty-eight days of incarceration in a minimum security facility but also a multicomponent treatment program; and  

     WHEREAS, the treatment program's components focus on alcohol use, abuse and dependence; psychological effects of alcohol abuse; goal setting; individual action plans for the immediate future; family issues and alcohol; and work release for employed offenders; and

     WHEREAS, after the offenders are discharged, the program monitors them for three to twelve months through weekly meetings, monitoring of personal action plan progress, alcohol breath tests, alcoholics anonymous meetings, job referrals and vocational education; and

     WHEREAS, as a result of this program, San Juan county found that thirty percent of its first-time DWI offenders were less likely to be rearrested in the five years following their arrest than DWI offenders who did not participate in the treatment program;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council direct an appropriate interim legislative committee to study the details of the San Juan county DWI treatment program and how that program might be replicated in other areas of the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study pay specific attention to the effect and value of treatment during the incarceration period and post-incarceration monitoring; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislature council.

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