Researchers at the University of New Mexico presented the results of a DWI study at the Governor’s DWI Research Forum recently. The study, “Treating DWI Offenders: Are offenders getting the treatment the law requires,” found that less than half of repeat DWI offenders in the state of New Mexico are receiving substance abuse treatment despite state law.
Photo: Gill Woodall, director of Prevention, Education and Research at UNM’s Center of Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions.
In 2004, the New Mexico Legislature made treatment mandatory for all convicted subsequent DWI offenders. According to the state law, all second- and third-time offenders must be sentenced to treatment. However, the research showed some troubling problems with the law.
The results were presented by Gill Woodall, director of Prevention, Education and Research at UNM’s Center of Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions (CASAA), Paul Guerin, UNM Institute for Social Research and Jim Davis, UNM Division of Government Research.
"The results call for better communication and cooperation among all who are part of DWI tracking and treatment system, including the Courts, Treatment Providers, and the Department of Finance and Administration County Screeners and Trackers," said Woodall.
The researchers examined 2,000 cases or approximately 25 percent of applicable cases in 2006 and 2007 and found that 52 percent of repeat offenders, which includes second and third time offenders according to the law, were not sentenced to substance abuse treatment. The Sample was comprised of 1,651 Males (82.6 percent) and 347 Females (17.4 percent).
Seven counties including Bernalillo, Chaves, Doña Ana, McKinley, Santa Fe, San Juan and Rio Arriba were involved in the study. Types of treatments to satisfy the law vary depending on the county. They can include residential rehabilitation and outpatient treatment said Woodall.
The forum was sponsored by the Governor’s office, the New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Bureau and the UNM School of Law Institute of Public Law.