DWI Planning Council Minutes
September 17, 2015
I. Call to Order: by Acting Lt. Chris LoCoco at approximately 2:20 p.m.
II. Introduction of Board Members: Members present were: Acting Lt. Chris LoCoco, Ryan Blanton – proxy, Carolyn Casillas, Brandi Wright - proxy, Maureen Schmittle – proxy, Marc Davis and Dee Swope; arriving later.
III. Introduction of DWI Staff: DWI Staff present were Paige Viscarra, Daniel Caywood and Rhonda Schuh.
A. Present in the audience were: David Bailey with Esperanza Guidance Services, Glenn Rey, Holly Mata with Shift Positive and Maureen Schmittle with The Department of Health.
IV. Determination of Quorum: There was a quorum with 6 board members or their proxy, 7 after Dee Swope arrived. Quorum was determined by Rhonda Schuh. Members not present, nor represented by a proxy, were Vivian Lueras and Ardena Orosco.
V. Old Business:
A. The Minutes for the May 21, 2015 meeting were reviewed. A motion was made to accept the minutes, a 2nd motion was made, the motion carried.
VI. New Business:
A. Review of July/August Stats:
1. July/August DWI Stats:
Number of DWI offenders NEEDS Survey’s entered in the ADE Data Base: 36; 29 from Magistrate Court; 7 from District and/or Municipal Court. Number of new DWI Clients: 42. The Average BAC was 0.168. Number of DWI cases through the court is 43. Number of drug screens administered by DWI staff: 9, negative: 8; positive: 1. Number of DWI offenders currently being tracked (Active): 316; Number of clients that were closed successfully: 23; unsuccessfully: 9; Deceased 0; Number of Probation Violations issued by DWI Staff: 9; Number of Screenings/Pre Sentence Screenings (drug/alcohol): 27.
2. July/August Teen Court Stats:
Number of MIP (Minor in Possession) Alcohol 8; Drug 1; Number of Juvenile Traffic cases 6; Number of Juvenile Criminal cases: 16; Number of Teen Court Offenders: Active 80; Number of Teen Court Community Service Hours served: 491; Number of Teen Court Completions: 11; Number of Teens referred back to referral agency: 0; Number of Teen Court outreach prevention activities hosted: 5.
3. July/August Prevention Stats:
Number of Community outreach prevention activities hosted by DWI Staff: 9; Number of school based DWI/Substance Abuse prevention activities: 1; Number of schools which prevention activities occurred: 1; Number of students who attended prevention activities: 2050; Number of adults attending prevention activities; 3010.
B. David Bailey was here for Sarah Kidd from Esperanza Guidance Center – SBIRT (Screening Brief Intervention Referral to Treatment). David discussed the various aids offered at their office. In order to get assistance, the individual would have to first see Dr. Heredia. The cost would be $70, but they would be able to have 12 sessions, which would normally cost anywhere from $25 - $100 each. It is hoped that this would help cut down the number of people going to the ER. There are limited inpatient services available.
C. The cost of Otero DWI’s screening is $125, but most other counties charge $75. We would like to lower ours to the $75 or on a sliding scale according to the individual’s income. A motion was made to accept this change and it was seconded; the motion carried.
D. Paige took MRT training in order to offer classes in our office beginning in October. Due to the number of DOS’s and DORs we will be offering the MRT based class – Escaping a Bottomless Pit. To address criminal thinking and people who have a pattern of bad behavior, we will be offering the class - Taking the High Road. It helps them to look at their current situation, how they arrived here and ways to lead a more productive life. These classes will not be substituted for any of the current treatments and the judges will need to refer defendants to the classes.
E. Otero County was mentioned in the newspaper for being the county with the highest conviction rate out of all New Mexico Counties.
F. We will be looking at replacing members on the council who have had unexcused absences in the past year. The planning council is a necessity for the DWI Program, so we must have members actively attending the meetings. So, we are looking to see who may be interested in actively participating in the council, especially for the necessary members of Otero.
VI. Open Discussion:
A. David Bailey mentioned that they received a National Suicide Prevention Study. It shows that Alamogordo has a severe problem with suicides. According to the national Suicide Alamogordo’s suicide beginning suicide prevention committee. The number of suicides from 2009-2012 for ages 25 to 64 is 89. They are looking at beginning a Suicide Prevention Committee and offer it to any who would like to join it.
B. A movie playing at the Sands Theatre was mentioned. It is Raising of America. It discusses the importance of the youth in the formative years.
C. The Festival of Quilts, which is used for DARE, received a donation of $7000.
D. DWI has resources for the communities to use at events, whether it is the SIDNE vehicles or the “drunk” goggles. We would be happy to help with events.
VIII. Next meeting: November 19, 2015
IX. Meeting Adjourned at 3:15 pm
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Dee Swope, Co-Chairperson Date
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Paige Viscarra, DWI Program Manager Date