DWI Drug Court was founded in 1994.

3,000 drug courts in effect nationwide.

New Mexico has 52 "problem-solving courts."

LAS CRUCES – "If you are willing to be changed, this program will work," Paul Contreras said as he looked back on his time in the Doña Ana Magistrate Court's DWI Drug Court.

Contreras was one of six participants to graduate from the program Monday – the largest graduating class since its inception in 1994. The ceremony was led by Magistrate Judge Joel Cano.

The program for repeat offenders includes intensive treatment for substance abuse, moral reconation therapy, random testing for drugs and alcohol, and regular meetings before one of the program's two presiding magistrate judges, Cano and Norman Osborne.

"Treatment courts are the nation's most effective strategy to reduce drug use and recidivism among substance-addicted, nonviolent offenders with criminal histories," program coordinator Carmen Florez Lucero said in a statement, estimating that the program spends $22 daily for each participant compared to the $98 daily cost of incarceration per individual.

MORE:Drug overdose deaths in New Mexico down 4 percent

During court sessions, participants discuss their treatment progress with the judge, as well as drug test results, compliance with surveillance procedures, education progress and/or employment, and they count their days clean of drugs or alcohol. There are sanctions for missing drug tests, curfew violations, or simply being late checking in with officers, with involuntary termination from the program (and possible incarceration) the last resort.

The minimum time required for a participant to complete the program, absent any sanctions, is 14 months, Cano said. Three of the six graduates on Monday completed the program without sanctions. But in dealing with addiction, relapses and subsequent problems, Cano emphasized that the journey was longer for some than others.

"I enjoy that everyone is not the same," Cano said during a graduation ceremony at the courthouse. "Those who make it hard and challenging, all they do is make me up my game."

MORE:Grant awarded to combat drug use in county

New Mexico is home to 52 "problem-solving courts," including drug courts or combined DWI/drug courts for adults, juveniles, veterans, or participants in need of additional mental health services.

In 1989, Florida’s Miami-Dade County was the first to implement an Adult Drug Court program. By 2015, according to the National Institute of Justice, there were more than 3,000 drug court dockets nationwide

Cano said the program also pays off by helping participants live "a life of sobriety," healing families, and enhancing public safety.

The program at Doña Ana Magistrate Court, founded by Judge Oscar Fritz, is accredited through the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. The organization's CEO, Carson Fox, said in a statement: "Treatment courts are a proven budget solution that stops the revolving door of arrest and incarceration for people with substance use and mental health disorders."

Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonActor on Twitter.

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