COUNTY DRUG COURT FOCUSES ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE DANGER

In 2003, drug use caused 342 deaths in New Mexico, according to the
Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation cited 4,747 repeat DWI
offenders last year. In 2005, Sandoval County instituted an adult
drug court to stem the continued danger of drug and alcohol abuses
within its borders.

Ten people have already enrolled in the drug court program since it
began on July 1, and director Chris Weaver said he has room for two
more. Each participant is obligated to remain in the program for a
minimum of one year, during which time he or she
undergoes "frequent drug testing and therapeutic treatment,
not only for substance abuse, but also in other aspects of each
participant's life."

The program is for those convicted of drug or alcohol felonies,
including a forth or subsequent DWI. No one with a violent felony
record, however, is eligible, because of requirement for federal
funding, which the drug court is hoping to obtain.

"(The length of time) varies from case to case," Weaver said. "Some
need more."

A 25-year probation officer, Weaver said personal attention is a
"very strong factor" in a client's recovery, all of which is provided by him.

Although the program tries to promote behavior change through
regular testing, meetings with 13th District judges Louis McDonald
and George Eichwald, and intensive counseling, there are swift
sanctions if clients violate the rules, Weaver said.
Participants may be ordered to perform community service if
they miss a therapy session or are sentenced to jail time for a
positive drug test.

In addition, each participant must maintain employment, attend
school, or perform volunteer work while in the program.

"We find activity keeps one's mind off wanting to use (drugs or
alcohol)," Weaver said.

The drug court program itself also keeps participants busy, with
judges meeting with them weekly. But the program has to be difficult
in order to encourage people to alter their behavior.

"It's pretty tough to ask people to curtail their lifestyle and make
some changes," Weaver said.

One of the keys to helping people change, Weaver said, is
encouraging self-esteem in the participants, which is often lacking.
Part of the program is delving into the reasons someone began to
abuse drugs or alcohol in the first place, which is often a
difficult task, as self-esteem in not the only factor that led
to substance abuse; it can be for a "combination of reasons, and
some of them are not totally revealed until after they are in the
program," Weaver said.

So far, it seems to be working.

"I see a lot of progress in these people," he said. "After 25 years
of running probation, to see some of the progress is gratifying."

The support of family and friends also goes a long way in aiding a
participant's success, Weaver said, but the final responsibility is
on the individual.

"People have to want to change," Weaver said.