Another example of drunk driving sentencing problems

This local news report from New Mexico, headlined "Study: Repeat DWI Offenders Not Getting Help," reinforces my enduring concern that criminal justice systems often do not effectively respond to the crime of drunk driving.  Here are some details from the piece:

A study shows more people people who are repeatedly arrested for DWI are not getting help. According to a new study from the University of New Mexico Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions, 52 percent of convicted second or third-time DWI offenders were not getting court-ordered treatment as part of their sentence.

The study -- based on court records -- also states that of all the offenders who were ordered into treatment only 46 percent were actually receiving treatment. "I think our primary concern is that it's not being ordered in the judgment and sentencing as is required by New Mexico law," said Rachel O'Connor, the state's DWI czar.

O'Connor said the study is disappointing and will hopefully be a wake-up call. "The courts, I think, need to look at their policies and practices and see what they can do to change this number," said O'Connor. "These are repeat DWI offenders. I think the governor and legislators have made clear that treatment is part of a recovery process and we want to make sure that they're sentenced to it."

Some related posts on sentencing drunk drivers:

• Shouldn't we be much, much tougher with drunk drivers?
• Tougher (but still not tough enough?) on DUI
• Getting tougher on drunk driving
• Why do we worry so much more about sex offenders than drunk drivers?
• Technology versus toughness to combat drunk driving
• Undue leniency for drunk drivers?
• More discussion of leniency for drunk drivers
• Is capital punishment for drunk driving morally required?
• More examples of undue leniency shown to repeat drunk drivers