New Mexico counties are not effectively spending funds from a DWI grant program to combat drunk driving, according to a state legislative report.
The Legislative Finance Committee study says counties are wasting money from the Local DWI Grant program on strategies such as media campaigns and outreach.
According to the study, officials should devote more funds to increased patrols and tougher prosecutions. Also, most counties are not funding treatment as required by state law.
Committee members say there needs to be more accountability for how counties spend the $18 million that annually comes from liquor excise taxes.
Some advocates disagree and say there has been a sharp decrease in alcohol-related fatalities in the state in the last decade.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com
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