GALLUP, N.M. — A day after police say a person drove an SUV right into a Gallup parade, injuring 15, many within the metropolis and in Native communities throughout New Mexico say alcohol abuse remains to be a giant downside.
Regional and statewide leaders gathered in Gallup Friday morning and joined in on Zoom. They debriefed the traumatic night time earlier than, and had a dialog in regards to the points going through the neighborhood.
Beneath are a few of their feedback.
Gallup Mayor Louie Bonaguidi: “It was very traumatic final night time.”
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez: “This can be a attempting time for all of us.”
Parade Coordinator Melissa Sanchez: “I’m nonetheless shook up.”
Navajo Nation Council Delegate Edmund Yazzie: “I personally blame alcohol on this. We’d like additionally illustration from the regulation of alcohol enforcement right here as a result of we’ve misplaced that within the metropolis of Gallup and within the County.”
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, (D) New Mexico: “We have to do extra to stop any intoxication in any context the place individuals are in high-risk behaviors, together with driving whereas intoxicated, and that has to get a lot, a lot better instantly.”
Navajo Nation Council Delegate Amber Crotty: “Our coordinated efforts to start out addressing these systemic problems with psychological and behavioral well being in our communities that stem from trauma.”
In all of the discussions, there weren’t many particular proposals.
In a whole lot of social media feedback on the video, individuals locally requested what leaders can do about issues surrounding alcohol abuse, consuming and driving, and psychological well being.
Beneath are just a few of them:
“We have to tackle alcohol and it’s results on Diné.”
“We’d like an incredible quantity of sources put into alcohol therapy”
“Behavioral Well being and extra sources are positively wanted…”
Many talked about trauma is the supply behind alcohol abuse for lots of people.
Some stated fewer areas ought to have liquor licenses. Others stated sellers must cease promoting to people who find themselves already drunk.
Many stated regulation enforcement want extra sources within the space, and, past that, calls proceed for stricter DWI legal guidelines and enforcement.
Advocates for sober driving are once more becoming a member of these calls.
The native Moms Towards Drunk Driving chapter stated New Mexico’s legal guidelines do have some tooth, particularly in comparison with another areas of the nation, however they wish to push for extra modifications.
These embody ensuring that instances aren’t dismissed, that prosecutors have the instruments they want, and that some penalties get more durable – together with when somebody has prior convictions or when individuals don’t comply with probation phrases.
“It’s extremely irritating,” stated Lindsey Valdez, regional govt director of Moms Towards Drunk Driving. “We wish to be sure that the present legal guidelines which might be in place for DWI are adhered to within the felony course of and all the time in an effort to extend what these penalties are – all for future deterrents.”
Valdez stated the purpose of a lot of that change could be to discourage individuals from driving whereas impaired.
