Watch the Hearing Online
HopeNetworks
PowerPoint on Louisiana DWI Laws and Needed Changes
"If
the jail population continues to grow at the current rate, by the year
2053 the United States will have more people in jail than out."
Source:
Camille
Gear and David Lewis, "Locking Up the Drug Problem: Criminal and Legal
Responses to Drug Addiction", Center for Alcohol Addiction Studies,
Brown University, 1995
Providing
heavy drinkers who are not alcohol-dependent
with self-help
materials relating to alcoholism can, by itself, be an effective method
of brief intervention (Ibid., p. 309).
To prevent injuries and
deaths in alcohol-related crashes, additional and stronger state
legislation (e.g., mandatory substance abuse assessment and treatment
should be directed toward persons arrested for or
convicted of DWI
(CDC,
"Drivers with Repeat Convictions or Arrest or DWI--United States," MMWR,
Vol. 43, No. 41, 10/21/94).
Each year, LA arrests 21,000 people for driving while intoxicated.
14,000 of those are in need of medical intervention and or treatment for
alcoholism (a primary disease).
14,000 will go on to continue drinking and drugging while in prison at
the LA taxpayer’s expense. Providing opportunities for recovery would allow those 14,000 to
return to work, pay taxes and reduce the social and economic burden of
alcohol and drug addiction to the LA taxpayer.
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Louisiana: Legislative Action 2004 |
Back to Legislative 2004 Home |
|
 URGENT ACTION ALERT: MAY 5th, 2004
Legislation the end treatment for Impaired Drivers:
This is an action for today. If you cannot
attend, write, call and
watch
on-line.
For those attending, Committee room 6 is located on the bottom
floor of the State Capital. Ask security how to find the House
Room 6
Everyone please e-mail (see addresses below) this makes a huge
difference
2004 Louisiana Legislative Archives
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Committee Room No. 6 Committee on
Administration of Criminal Justice Wednesday, May 5, 2004 9:30 A.M.
INSTRUMENTS TO BE HEARD:
Ask the legislators to make these amendments!
See Amendments you can e-mail and ask the committee for
Get more info on
"Solutions for DWI"
Download HopeNetworks
PowerPoint on Louisiana DWI Laws and Needed Changes
 This is an urgent action alert.
Wednesday, May 5th, at 9:30 AM a great injustice will be attempted in
our State Legislature. People in recovery and in support of recovery
are truly the only people that stand in the way of actions that will
end treatment for DWI offenders, further fine, imprison and
marginalize this sick population.
Even though 47 other states do better than we do when
it comes to impaired driving and reducing fatal crashes, our state
continues to deny solutions that work in other states. Screen,
Treat, and Monitor. We are not for the removal of sanctions against
impaired drivers. Instead, we want to see solutions that work
for 47 other states, including screening, treating, and monitoring
from the first offense used here in Louisiana
Please know that Louisiana Mother's Against Drunk Driving and the
Louisiana Highway Safety Department are pushing these solutions that
do not work and are directly opposed to National Highway Safety and
National MADD endorsed policies to screen, treat, and monitor.
We stand with the medical community, District Judges, Substance Abuse
Counselors, and people in Recovery. Please take as many
action steps as possible to let our voice be heard, and loud!
What can you do?
- 1 - CONTACT THE COMMITTEE
Call, Fax, or E-mail the House Committee on Criminal Justice right
now!
|
Against |
|
Support |
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SB 679 CHAISSON |
Changes
language from "shall" (to mandate treatment) to "may."
Effectively ends treatment funding and allows for long term jail
time for repeat offenders, with no treatment for alcoholism.
68% success rate with treatment. |
HB 549 BALDONE
|
Supports
continued mandated treatment with the addition of DWI / Drug
Courts as a sentencing option. Please help
us amend this bill to include treatment |
|
HB 206 FUTRELL
|
Increases
Jail time, reduces treatment for repeat offenders |
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HB 297 LAMBERT |
Removes
treatment, increases jail time and increases fines. |
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HB 586 E ROMERO
|
Increases
the penalties for vehicular homicide while under the influence,
does not provide for treatment. |
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HB 741 LAFLUER |
Removes
treatment, increases incarceration and fines. |
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| HB 901 BALDONE |
Interlock
device legislation. Generally supported when DWI offenders
are assessed and treated. If no provision is in place, we do
not support this patchwork solution. |
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| HB 917 BALDONE |
Same as
above |
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| HB 918 BALDONE |
Interlock
device as a condtion of bail. We would support such a
mandate if the DWI offender was assessed for alcohol problems and
referred to treatment where needed. |
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HB 931 BALDONE |
Interlock
device for those "suspected" but not convicted of DWI. Does
not provide for screening or treatment |
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| HB 1159 FUTRELL |
Prohibits
pretrial diversion programs at the 2nd offense, and does not
provide for assessment or treatment. |
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- 2 - Enlist others to communicate about with these
legislators about the need to treat and assess early offenders so we
can have a real impact on the problem.
- 3 - Plan to attend the hearing at the Louisiana State Capital (May
5th, 9:30 AM)
- 4 - Contact local clergy, people in recovery, other local
politicians, get as many people to stand together in support of
solutions that work.
| Name |
Position |
District |
E-mail |
|
Martiny, Daniel R. |
Chairman |
79 |
larep079@legis.state.la.us |
|
Heaton, Alex |
Vice Chair |
95 |
larep095@legis.state.la.us |
|
Baldone, Damon J. |
Member |
53 |
larep053@legis.state.la.us |
|
Bruce, Beverly G. |
Member |
7 |
larep007@legis.state.la.us |
|
Burrell, Roy |
Member |
2 |
larep002@legis.state.la.us |
|
Cazayoux, Jr., Donald J.
|
Member |
18 |
larep018@legis.state.la.us |
|
LaFleur, Eric |
Member |
38 |
larep038@legis.state.la.us |
|
Morrell, Arthur A. |
Member |
97 |
larep097@legis.state.la.us |
|
Romero, Errol "Romo" |
Member |
48 |
larep048@legis.state.la.us |
|
White, Mack "Bodi" |
Member |
64 |
larep064@legis.state.la.us |
|
Wooton, Ernest D. |
Member |
105 |
larep105@legis.state.la.us |
|
Salter, Joe R. |
Speaker |
24 |
larep024@legis.state.la.us |
|
Broome, Sharon Weston
|
Speaker Pro Tempore |
29 |
larep029@legis.state.la.us |
We hope to see you in Committee in the morning. Please let me
know if you are attending. Also let me know if you would like to
speak to the Committee. As a citizen of the state, you have this
right. Further, we are the only unpaid organization to speak up
in these committees, and it makes a huge difference!
Thank you!
====================================================
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Committee Room No. 6
Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice
Wednesday, May 5, 2004 9:30 A.M.
INSTRUMENTS TO BE HEARD:
SB 679 CHAISSON —
SB679 CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Provides with respect
to criminal penalties for third,fourth, and subsequent DWI offenses.
(Read
the article from previous failed attempts by Senator Chaisson to end
treatment)
HB 206 FUTRELL
—
HB206
DWI: Provides for criminal penalties for operating a vehicle while
intoxicated
HB 297 LAMBERTHB297
— DWI: Provides
with respect to criminal penalties for multiple DWI offenders
HB 549 BALDONE — Get a Summary of
the Bill here
HB549
DWI: Provides for criminal penalties for driving while intoxicated
HB 586 E ROMERO — CRIME/HOMICIDE: Increases maximum penalties for
the crime of vehicular
homicide
HB 741---HB741
LAFLEUR — DWI: Provides with respect to
criminal penalties for third, fourth, and subsequent DWI offenses
HB 872 MARTINY — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Prohibits the possession of
alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 18
HB 901 BALDONEHB901 — DWI: Requires proof of installation of
ignition interlock device when ordered as condition of probation
HB 917 BALDONEHB917
— DWI: Provides with respect to ignition
interlock devices
HB 918 BALDONE —
HB918 DWI: Provides with
respect to ignition interlock devices as a condition of bail
HB 931 BALDONE —
HB931
DWI: Provides with respect to ignition devices for persons suspected of
driving while intoxicated
HB 1159 FUTRELL
HB1159
— DWI: Prohibits participation in any pretrial diversion program
following arrest for a 2nd or subsequent offense
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