 |
| Rep. Wilson recognized for her work to prevent DWI in New Mexico |
December 14, 2001 |
| |
| Wilson secured federal funding for anti-DWI efforts and pushes DWI awareness in area high schools
Albuquerque, NM - The DWI Resource Center and other anti-DWI activists today recognized Congresswoman Heather Wilson for her commitment to reducing drunk driving in New Mexico through federal financial support and education in Albuquerque high schools.
“We asked Congresswoman Wilson for her help and she listened,” says Linda Atkinson, Executive Director of the DWI Resource Center. “It’s clear that Rep. Wilson wants to help crime victims, including those whose lives have been devastated by drunk drivers.”
“It’s important to teach young people about the risks involved with driving while under the influence of alcohol," says Wilson. "I commend the DWI Resource Center for the work they do to make our streets safer and to help victims in the aftermath of drunk driving. There are hundreds of people in New Mexico working everyday to battle drunk driving and I commend them for their work.”
Wilson this year secured $350,000 for the New Mexico DWI Resource Center, which works to reduce the impact of DWI in New Mexico through public awareness, education, prevention programs and to provide survivor support services. The center serves as a central clearinghouse for information on DWI and DWI-related issues and provides research, materials, training and resources.
A portion of the funding, according to Atkinson, will create a statewide Crime Victim Ombudsman Program which will educate all parties on victims` rights, investigate victims complaints and recommend appropriate remedy when victims rights are violated.
“This is a much needed program to address the harsh secondary trauma crime victims sometimes are forced to undergo as their case goes through the judicial system." said Atkinson. "It is a program whose time has come, after 13 years of assisting victims with no where to turn when they were not afforded their rights.”
The funding will also be used to expand the DWI Data Center which collects, analyzes and disseminates data on DWI arrests, convictions and crashes in the state of New Mexico.
In addition to her efforts in the U.S. House, Rep. Wilson has spearheaded efforts to educate high school students about the dangers of drinking and driving. “Brandon’s Story” is a public education program Wilson has hosted several times in Albuquerque-area schools. |
|
|
|