EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) — El Paso County’s DWI Drug Court Intervention and Treatment Program was created in 2004, with a focus on helping adults convicted of misdemeanor or felony driving while intoxicated.
El Paso County Criminal Court Judge Robert Anchondo has spearheaded the program for many years.
“You got to understand, I see these people when they come in. So, we have history and, we’ve had our challenges through the program. They’ve had challenges in the program. We have to reevaluate things. So, we have to deal with it. But I think in the end when they start embracing it.” Anchondo said.
Judge Anchondo adds that it’s an 18-month program, broken down into five phases with strict protocols.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, five people graduated from the program at the county courthouse. Edwin Najera is one of the graduates, he said he plans to focus on his sobriety.
“My plan is to keep sober, absolutely. That’s the baseline, for sure, so that I can keep on living healthy and pursue my professional career in biophysics. Right now, I have a master’s, thank goodness, but I plan to pursue a PhD and to work in biophysics,” Najera adds.