The El Paso County Commissioners’ hearing room in the Enrique Moreno Courthouse was packed on the morning of October 28th for a celebration: the resolution in support of the 20th anniversary of the El Paso DWI/Drug Court Intervention and Treatment Program. Team members, current and former participants, as well as local and national guests all crowded into the hearing room to reflect on the achievements of this path breaking therapeutic court model, led by legendary El Paso jurist and Region 6 Judicial Outreach Liaison, Judge Robert S. Anchondo.
January 10, 2025
The El Paso DWI/Drug Court Intervention and Treatment Program Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary
Hon. J. Matthew Martin
In 2004, moved by the revolving door of recidivism and the dangerous risk of fatalities posed by repeat impaired drivers, Judge Anchondo created the first DWI specialty court program in the state of Texas. Helping court involved individuals overcome addiction and trauma rather than continuously serving jail sentences and endangering the public remains Judge Anchondo’s judicial philosophy. According to the El Paso County Council of Judges, “[t]he El Paso DWI/Drug Court Intervention and Treatment Program works with people with a history of alcohol use, substance use, mental health disorders, and trauma histories, as well as participants who have served in the military or have been charged with a DWI on federal [Indian] reservations.” Continually evolving and employing the latest best practices and impaired driving countermeasures, the DWI Court has been recognized by All Rise (formerly the National Association of Drug Court Professionals) four consecutive times as a prestigious National Academy Court.
720 individuals have graduated from the court over the past 20 years; community members refocused on living new, goal-oriented lives. The program’s outstanding success is reflected in the fact that the recidivism rate of the participants is just 10%.
Two graduates and one current participant gave compelling testaments to the myriad ways in which the Team members have helped them in transforming their lives. At the conclusion of their remarks, these representatives of the treatment court community presented Judge Anchondo with an award for his compassionate leadership.
Joining in the celebration were two of the Judges from the Tribal Court of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (Tigua) Tribal Court, along with Court Administrator and Tribal Records Officer, Zeke Garcia. All three singled out Judge Anchondo’s eagerness to serve the Tigua members in the DWI Court. These kinds of engagements don’t just change lives, they open doors between tribal and state governments and further the kind of collaborations we need on a national basis.
Congratulations once again to Judge Anchondo and his team for your vision, leadership, and steadfastness! We here at the Tribal Traffic Safety Bulletin are eager to see what the next two decades will bring!