Drug court success: El Paso’s DWI Intervention and Treatment Program celebrates 30 years

During the month of May, which is National Drug Court Month, El Paso’s DWI Drug Court Intervention and Treatment Program celebrates 30 years of drug treatment courts.

Jail is neither a detox center, nor a rehabilitation center, for alcoholics and drug addicts. What individuals with substance abuse problems need is treatment. With treatment comes patience, comprehension and support from our community; and that is what we celebrate in May. National Drug Court Month is a month full of vision, inspiration and hope; not only for our participants, but for our community. This year marks the 30th anniversary of courts all over the country that provide members of the community who struggle with addiction the amazing opportunity to turn their lives around.

Judge Robert Anchondo started the first Texas DWI Intervention and Treatment Program in 2004 and has reached Academy Court status for the past five years. Anchondo and his skilled team of professionals have worked vigorously to provide each participant of the program with the adequate tools to succeed in their treatment. 

Some of the local community resources that have joined Anchondo in the pursuit of success for these participants are the University of Texas at El Paso, Texas Tech University, 2 Love 1 and Aliviane, among others. Just recently, the DWI Intervention and Treatment Program partnered with Sesame Street to involve the participant families and build stronger familial relationships.

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The DWI Intervention and Treatment Program represents a proven solution for El Paso’s safety. The program identifies repeat DWI and high–blood alcohol content offenders, and provides treatment and strict accountability to break the cycle of recidivism. After 483 graduates, our recidivism rate is less than 5%, which proves the effectiveness of our program by having these participants become productive members of our community and reuniting the family unit.

This year’s graduation ceremony took place Thursday at the County Criminal Court at Law No. 2 on the seventh floor of the El Paso County Courthouse.

Sobriety is a reason for celebration. This month is to recognize everybody who has made a life-changing decision to become a better person, a renovated member of the community, and a stronger and more reliable family member.

Evy Sotelo is an El Paso County public defender.