Sheriff criticizes drug rehab program

A CONTROVERSIAL DRUG REHAB PROGRAM ON THE WEST SIDE MAY BE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING ITS STATE F...  More »

A CONTROVERSIAL DRUG REHAB PROGRAM ON THE WEST SIDE MAY BE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING ITS STATE FUNDING. SECOND CHANCE HAS BEEN RIDICULED FOR ITS EXPENSIVE CARROT JUICE AND SAUNA APPROACH TO CLEANING UP ADDICTS... AND NOW SOME PEOPLE ARE QUESTION WHETHER IT'S A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS. CRIS ORNELAS IS LIVE FROM THE FACILITY TONIGHT. ITS NO SURPRISE THE HEART OF THE STATES DRUG PROBLEM IS THE METRO AREA... SO WE TALKED TO THE BERNALILLO COUNTY SHERIFF ABOUT THE ISSUE... AND HE SAYS HE HAS GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS. ALBUQUERQUE BOXER JOHNNY TAPIA WENT THERE FOR REHAB... AND FORMER CHIEF DISTRICT JUDGE JOHN BRENNAN USED TO WORK THERE... BUT THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SECOND CHANCE DRUG REHAB PROGRAM. 4:06-4:19 'unm has done a study and they have some grave concerns that the program is not reaching or meeting the goals that they established for themselves'NON-TRADITIONAL METHODS LIKE MASSAGE AND NATURAL DIET HAVE FUELED DOUBTS ABOUT THE PROGRAMS EFFECTIVENESS. 1:21-1:27 ' the big controversy is their methods... saunas and herbs' AND NOW THAT THE STATE BUDGET IS TIGHT ... SOME ARE WONDERING IF THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS. 2:47-2:57 'lets put that money, especially right now, when were on real hard economic times lets put that money where we know has a proven successful track record' SHERIFF DARREN WHITE SAYS DRUG COURT HAS BEST TRACK RECORD FOR GETTING ADDICTS OFF DRUGS... AND HE HAS A PROBLEM WITH A AN UNPROVEN PROGRAM SHROUDED IN SECRECY WITH POTENTIAL TIES TO SCIENTOLOGY GETTING YOUR TAX DOLLARS. 5:15-5:27 'i've been in santa fe fighting for money for drug courts and not been as successful as we should be and here they come into town one day and the next thing you know they are getting hundreds of thousands of dollars' SECOND CHANCE GOT ABOUT 600- THOUSAND DOLLARS IN STATE MONEY LAST YEAR... AND SOME STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE ALREADY VOWED TO FIGHT FOR MORE MONEY FOR THEM. WE MADE REPEATED CALLS TO SECOND CHANCE FOR THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY... SO FAR NO ONE HAS CALLED US BACK. A FOUR CORNERS  « Less