ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's busiest courthouse has revived a program that gives Native Americans with two or more DWIs an alternative to jail time with treatment that incorporates traditional aspects of their cultures cultures.
The treatment program is part of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court's DWI and Drug court.
It was suspended in 2009, but re-started a year ago under Judge Maria Dominguez.
About 100 people have graduated in the past year and half from the program, formally called the Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court.
Officials say the program is the only state-funded DWI wellness court for Native Americans in the country.
Recent participant Arnett Tafoya says he "he took full advantage of what was being offered" through the program and credits it with helping him turn his life around.