Opinion ID: 891567
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Detoxification Reform Act and Disorderly Conduct

Text: {6} The DRA has a long history, and although it has been substantially revised over the years, its central purpose remains largely unchangedto study the problems of alcoholism and to promote treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics. See § 43-2-5. At issue in this case is Section 43-2-3 of the DRA, which states: It is the policy of this state that intoxicated and incapacitated persons may not be subjected to criminal prosecution, but rather should be afforded protection. It is further the policy of this state that alcohol-impaired persons and drug-impaired persons should be afforded treatment in order that they may lead normal lives as productive members of society. The Court of Appeals questions whether this section prohibits the State from prosecuting intoxicated persons for disorderly conduct pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 30-20-1(A) (1967) [3] , and we are asked to construe the relationship between these two legislative enactments. Our research into the development of these two statutes has proved particularly helpful to understanding the effect of the modern DRA on New Mexico's current disorderly conduct statute. Therefore, we begin with an historical perspective of these two laws.