RANDOM THOUGHTS REGARDING DWI (DUI)

In the news today, Linda Atkinson, executive director of DWI Resources Center, has unveiled a map showing the location of motor vehicle crashes in which alcohol was a factor. Surprisingly, Louisiana and Central shows up as the most dangerous in this respect; and the South Valley is number five. It would seem that it is safer to drive through Isleta and Bridge than it is to drive through Central and Louisiana, at least after 6:00 p.m. on weekends.

The report prompts these random thoughts on the crime of DWI (DUI).

Nullification has set in. Right here in New Mexico, a Legislator asked the Chief of Police in a Southern town, to ask the arresting officer to not show for a DWI hearing. Right here in Albuquerque, officers fail to show and Judges fail to sanction (they dismiss DWI cases instead of making witnesses shape up).

On the punishment of deprivation of driver’s licence. Historically, the Judges did not punish by restricting the right to drive. The Legislature told the Judges to punish by taking the license and sending it to Santa Fe. In many cases the Judges refused to comply. The Legislature did not trust the Judges, and placed the responsibility of revocation with the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD).

Many Judges then failed to send in the report of conviction, so the MVD was unable to revoke the license. The Legislature then arranged it so the MVD would get involved when an arrest was made for DWI, rather than wait for a trial. Then the defense attorneys raised many technicalities in MVD hearings; and arresting officers often failed to appear at MVD hearings; and the MVD caved in and started letting the accused off because of technicalities and no shows.

Doesn’t this tell us something, after 60 years or so? We have nullification.

The interlock solution.

We catch the offender is one of a thousand offenses he commits. Then we try to take the driver’s license; or the car; or put on an interlock. Why not put on an interlock before the first offense (first offense, not first conviction)? Why not require any brand new motor vehicle to have an interlock (as defined in the statute passed at the instance of W. Ken Martinez, a Legislator from Grants)? Ultimately, all but the antiques would have them.

It is as simple as Congress telling the manufacturers to put in all new vehicles a safety device that prevents an alcohol-impaired driver from starting the vehicle, and prevents the continued driving of a vehicle by one who becomes alcohol-impaired. The key is the key, coupled with the alcohol detecting device developed at Sandia Labs. The scientists and inventors would come up with devices that are foolproof and non-intrusive and non-burdensome to unimpaired drivers. A touch of the key to start the vehicle; a touch (on demand) of the key to keep the vehicle running. Why don’t we do this, and save thousands of lives and hundreds of thousands of serious injuries each year?

A final thought here. Jane Sixpack likes to get drunk; and she needs to drive while sober. Tell her she can get alcohol-impaired, and she can drive her vehicle; but she will not be allowed to do both at the same time. Under our present system, we could use the alcohol bracelet as a preventative and as punishment. The alcohol ankle bracelet detects and reports the blood-alcohol level. Existing, workable technology.

After the arrest, the Judge directs as a condition of release that the accused wear an alcohol ankle bracelet until trial (no more need for a “six-month” rule to speed trials). Defense lawyers who are encouraged by the arbitrary six month rule to manipulate the system and stall the trial, will be requesting speedy trials to close the case if their clients get no booze until trial. Then, in cases of conviction, the Judge can restrict the alcohol intake of the convict: no alcohol in the blood unless the convict is at home; or only during certain hours, and at home; or only to a certain alcohol level, etc.

Put yourself in the shoes of Jane Sixpack, who drives while alcohol-impaired. She is threatened with loss of driver’s license; or she is threatened with forced alcohol abstinence. Is there any doubt as to which punishment she would fear the more?

END PROHIBITION, BUT START SLOWLY; END PROHIBITION OF SMOKED MARIJUANA AS PRESCRIBED MEDICINE

Stanley Crouch, in his syndicated column in the Albuquerque Journal of April 29, 2006, argues that we should “Declare Victory and End Drug War.” We could even acknowledge defeat and end the drug war. Abuse of recreational drugs (including alcohol) should be against the law; and the law should be so reasonable that it will be enforced, evenly, fairly and with good judgment. The key word here is "abuse."

We now see in the news that Afghanistan produces 90% of the world supply of opium. The USA uses enough cocaine and heroin to support drug lords the world over. We support these people by imposing prohibition. Drug prohibition.

Does it follow from one’s opposition to the war on drugs, prohibition, that one advocates use of recreational drugs? No. We can be against recreational use of drugs, and against prohibition as we know it. In 1956, fifty years ago, the federal government enacted laws to impose mandatory prison terms for simple possession. Draconian measures; full prisons; turf wars; etc. This war is a failure. More than 50 million have used marijuana. That is a federal offense. Even if your State allows it; even if your doctor prescribes it; watch out, as the United States Attorney General and the United States Attorney will prosecute you. They threaten the Legislature of New Mexico to prevent passage of a medical marijuana bill. What have we come to?

Gary Johnson, while Governor of New Mexico, had the courage to advocate an end to prohibition as we know it. This is not a partisan issue. President Clinton at least tried (used) marijuana; and so did President George W. Bush. Is this not common knowledge? How can we imprison for that? How can we ruin lives, for that? How can we support drug lords for that, when people could grow their own marijuana, more easily than making home brew? Let us work on legislation to end this "war," and yet minimize the harm that comes from the abuse of these drugs.