2008 Projects and Legislative Proposals

From 2003 to 2004, New Mexico ranked second in the nation for the rate of persons who need but do not receive treatment for illicit drug use. We also continue to incarcerate individuals struggling with drug addiction, and we do not provide adequate behavioral health treatment services in jails and prisons. And then, upon release, individuals do not have access to adequate reentry services, such as employment and housing options. The criminal justice system is failing New Mexico families and communities, and we must shift our focus to alternatives to incarceration. 

While much was achieved during the 2007 New Mexico Legislative Session and this year's 30-day session, the Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico is continuing to move forward to help improve lives and communities in our state.

Treatment Instead of Incarceration

Of the approximately 5,600 people in New Mexico's state prison system in 2002, about 87% were assessed as needing substance abuse services and 70% as substance abusing or dependent. Drug offenders struggling with substance abuse or dependence need help, not jail. This bill proposes appropriate community-based treatment, instead of incarceration, for first- and second-time non-violent drug possession arrestees and people with drug-related posession and parole violations. Offering treatment instead of incarceration enhances public safety by reducing drug-related crime and preserves jail and prison space for violent offenders. While this bill failed to pass during the 2008 legislative session, we received great feedback and support from legislators! For more information on the proposal click here.

Reentry Services

Many individuals recently released from jail or prison desperately need comprehensive reentry services to restart their lives on the right track. Housing options, employment, life-skills training, and substance abuse treatment services, if needed, are essential to helping recently released prisoners reestablish their lives. During the 2008 legislative session, DPANM worked with various community groups to pass a Housing Memorial to research the barriers to housing faced by people with criminal convictions and individuals struggling with drug addiction. We will also be proposing a “ban the box” campaign to remove the question on Bernalillo County employment applications that requires the applicant to check a “yes” or “no” box if they have ever been convicted of a felony. To learn more about these proposals please visit our reentry services page.

Women’s Treatment Pilot Project

The pilot project establishes a much needed, evidence-based treatment program for female inmates with heroin addictions in the Grants and Camino Nuevo facilities using the state-of-the-art medication, buprenorphine. The pilot project would start women on buprenorphine before their release, and then help transition the women into the community with a case manager and physician. Click here to learn more about this proposal.

Bias-Based Policing Study Bill

In collaboration with the political action committee of the Santa Fe branch of the NAACP, DPANM helped to pass legislation in 2007 appropriating $50,000 to the NM Sentencing Commission to investigate and study possible incidents of bias-based policing, or racial profiling, in New Mexico. (More about the bill here.) This funding will also ensure the Sentencing Commission makes recommendations for the development and implementation of plans, policies, and strategies to eliminate bias-based policing in New Mexico. We will again work with the Santa Fe branch of the NAACP to secure additional funding during the 2008 legislative session to ensure the study continues.

Medicaid Coverage of Substance Abuse Treatment

Two memorials unanimously passed the 2007 legislature that direct the state Medicaid program to apply to the federal government for approval to include substance abuse treatment as a covered service for Medicaid recipients. We are continuing to ensure the amendment is submitted and accepted. If the amendment is accepted, over $10 million will be brought into New Mexico to increase substance abuse treatment.

Medical Cannabis Program

On April 2, 2007, Governor Bill Richardson signed SB523, the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, and finally made legal access to medical cannabis a reality for seriously ill and dying New Mexicans.

Patient ID cards for qualified patients are now available from the Department of Health. Please visit the Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Program’s website to see if you qualify for the program and to download the application to register.

The next stage of implementation for the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act is developing a state-licensed production and distribution system for registered patients. The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act is the first medical marijuana law in the country to call for a state-licensed production and distribution system to help patients access their medicine. The rules and regulations for the production and distribution system are available here. You can also attend the Department of Health’s public hearing on the rules and regulations for the Medical Cannabis Program on January 14, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the Harold Runnels Building Auditorium, located at 1190 St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

For more information on who qualifies as a medical marijuana patient under the New Mexico law and how the program works please visit our Medical Marijuana Page.

We look forward to working with all of you expand alternatives to incarceration in New Mexico – by increasing access and affordability of substance abuse treatment as well as comprehensive reentry programs and services for individuals recently released from jails or prisons!