2009 Congressional Award for NM Drug Court Programs

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) will use the FY09 Congressionally Selected Award to fund the continuation of fifteen drug courts in nine New Mexico judicial districts. These drug courts provide treatment and assistance to adults and juveniles in crisis due to substance abuse.

The First Judicial District will use their funds ($40,000) for juvenile and adult drug courts to sustain treatment services and to fund a contract psychiatric treatment service. The Second Judicial District will use their funds($53,000) for juvenile and adult drug courts to supply drug testing supplies and laboratory confirmation tests. The Fourth Judicial District will use their funds ($20,000) for juvenile and adult drug courts to maintain treatment services. The Fifth Judicial District will use their funding ($45,000) for Juvenile Drug Court and Family Dependency Drug Court. The funds will allow for treatment services, drug testing kits, travel, and training for its team members. The Eighth Judicial District Juvenile and Adult Drug Courts will use their funds($25,968) for drug testing and alcohol kits. The Ninth Judicial District will use their funds ($5,261.61) for self-help materials as well as incentive medallions for the Adult Courts. The Twelfth Judicial Court will use their funds($17,770.39) for adult treatment services. The Thirteenth Judicial District Juvenile Drug Courts will use their funding ($8,000) for educational tutoring and GED classes. The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court will use their funding ($25,000) for treatment services. The AOC will use the remaining funding ($160,000) for training of drug court professionals, contract with a management analyst, and a Statewide Drug Court Coordinator to travel statewide to facilitate program evaluations and targeted program improvements.

NCA/NCF