About the Eddy County DWI Program
Cindy Sharif
Eddy County DWI Building 401 S. Main St. Carlsbad, NM 88220 Phone: 575-885-3328 Fax: 575-885-4190
Funding for DWI programs was started in 1993 with the establishment of the Local DWI Grant Fund. The purpose of the Local DWI Grant Fund is to "reduce the incidence of DWI, alcoholism, alcohol, abuse, drug addiction, drug abuse and alcohol-related domestic violence." The funds are distributed to all 33 New Mexico counties through Planning Councils and County Commissions. The funds can be used for prevention activities, especially those in the schools, enforcement, treatment (65% of funding must be used in this area), alternative sentencing, alcohol screening, compliance monitoring, alcohol related domestic violence programs.
Eddy County's DWI Program started in 1994. It serves approximately 55,000 people in the Artesia, Carlsbad and Loving areas. Presently there are eighty-nine DWI Council members. The council members include law enforcement, DWI Program members, program coordinators, judiciary representatives, volunteers and interested community members. The council meets monthly.
Throughout the year, Eddy County's DWI Program is active in many areas. In addition to screening and tracking, at present there are group meetings in the jails, two in Artesia and two in Carlsbad. One group is for Spanish speaking inmates.
Presentations are done in the schools as schools request them. The Carlsbad School District's Driver's Education classes have been using the SIDNE (Simulated Intoxicated Driving Experience) along with the Fatal Vision Goggles, Intoxiclock and other equipment to teach students about the dangers of alcohol and driving. The Artesia Police Department assists with this training. The SIDNE is a remote controlled go cart. The car can be made to simulate an impaired driving experience when the controller changes the car's mode of operation. Suddenly the car will not brake as fast or the steering does not work normally. The Intoxiclock is another new addition. The electronic board allows a person to enter their sex, weight, time they start drinking and how many drinks are consumed over a certain period of time. The computer then tells the blood alcohol content (BAC) and how long it will take for the alcohol to leave the person's system. Groups wishing to present this program should contact the DWI office. All presentations are free of charge.
Two special programs target youthful offenders. One is the Trash Pickup Program. Two Saturdays a month, youthful offenders pick up trash along the roads in the county. There is also a Youth Academy. This two day program is held once a month and includes physical training to show teens how drugs and alcohol affect the body and provides education about substance abuse.
Special projects are done as requested by the community such as distribution of information at health fairs, school presentations, parades, and many other programs. The DWI Program also participates in roadblocks.
Education is a big part of our outreach. Speakers will do presentations for groups which would like information on drugs and alcohol. We have a new parenting program called Guiding Good Choices. Guiding Good Choices is a science based, proven program that gives parents the skills they need to help their children have a solid future. Not only does the program reduce alcohol and other drug use, it also helps parents avoid other behavior problems in their children. The program will teach ways to improve family communications and family bonding. It also helps parents learn how to reduce risk factors for substance abuse, develop healthy beliefs and clear standards, gain refusal skills, manage family conflict and strengthen family bonds. This is not a come, sit and listen type of program as videos, slides and interactive activities make the program lively for the participants. For more information or to arrange to sponsor this workshop, please contact the DWI office at 575-234-9963 or Debbie at 575-302-3017. The program is free.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a presentation, you can call the DWI office at 575-234-9963 or email Ms. Sharif.