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Taos mountains

Eighth Judicial District Court

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Drug Court

THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ADULT DRUG COURT PROGRAM

             Policy and Procedures           NM Drug Court Standards

The Taos Adult Drug Court (TADC) program is a drug and alcohol treatment strategy administered and supervised by the Eighth Judicial District Court in partnership with professionals from the criminal justice communities and mental health and drug/alcohol treatment communities.  Drug Court’s treatment is consistent with best national practices as recommended by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and adopted for Treatment Courts in New Mexico.

The mission of Adult Drug Court is to provide an alternative to traditional sanctions through comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment in conjunction with intensive court and community-based supervision to individuals who have committed non-violent criminal offenses as a direct or indirect result of substance abuse. Adult Drug Court offers highly structured long-term treatment that ensures public safety by mitigating immediate risk factors.  Adult Drug Court’s primary goals are to reduce recidivism by addressing the long-term needs of the participants and to support participants in becoming sober, productive and contributing members of the community.

What We Do 
Taos Adult Drug Court provides services for High Risk/High Need felony offenders who have an underlying drug or alcohol substance abuse addiction.  Our services are available  pre-sentence as a condition of release, or post sentence as a part of the offender’s sentence.
Our services include:

  • Weekly Judicial Progress Reviews
  • Frequent and Random Drug Testing
  • Individual Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Case Management
  • Gender Specific Men and Women Groups
  • Peer Support
  • Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)
  • Surveillance
  • Acupuncture
  • Referral to Inpatient Treatment, as necessary

The Taos Adult Drug Court is made up of an interdisciplinary team of professionals who represent the following offices/agencies:

  • District Court
  • District Attorney
  • Law Office of the Public Defender
  • Taos Police
  • Adult Probation and Parole
  • Community representative

Making a difference… 

210 Graduates since the program started
17 Drug Free Babies born to female clients
77% of graduates in the last three years have not been charged or arrested with any new felony offenses

All clients must have a minimum of 90 days sobriety before graduating. Graduates must be working, enrolled in school or completing community service.

Drug Court Program Manager 
Gino Unzueta San Miguel
(575) 751-8620
taodgus@nmcourts.gov

Taos County Adult Drug Court Program
Golden Willow Counseling
920C Salazar Road
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: 575-770-9513

Presiding Judge
Emilio J. Chavez

Court held every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at the Taos County Courthouse, Taos, NM.

Raton Adult Drug Court Program
Golden Willow Counseling
101 Letton Drive
Raton, NM 87740
Phone: 575.707.0262

Drug Court Program Specialist for Raton
Lexi Ortega
Phone: 575-445-7565
ratdleo@nmcourts.gov

Presiding Judge
Melissa Kennelly

Court held every Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Colfax County Courthouse/Leon Karelitz Judicial Center, Raton, NM.