ABOUT IMPACT DWI / Santa Fe A spectator's observation: Dr. Richard Roth, PhD is a Citizen Lobbyist who has been developing a DWI Impact Panel that differs from the rest. DWI Offenders are not very happy that Court Orders mandates attendance in DWI Victim Impact Panels. Usually, as they arrive to their designated Panel, they are angry for having to sit there for an hour and listen to Victims. Dr. Roth has a general understanding that DWI Offenders do not have the concept of any wrong doing, so he immediately puts the audience at ease by assuring them that he does not view them as criminals who intentionally rob, rape, assault, or kill others. He assumes that none of the offenders wants to kill or injure themselves or anyone else. They just want to get home after drinking. And they have done it enough times previously to make them believe that driving after drinking is a safe activity. He then gives the offenders the opportunity to attempt the field sobriety test of walking the line with intoxication-simulation goggles. The goggles distort the vision but not the brain so both the walker and the audience can see how dangerous it is to drive with a similar impairment. The important difference between the goggles and alcohol is that alcohol makes one think that he is not impaired. The goggle exercise becomes a tension release where laughter generates openness to new ideas. Dr. Roth addresses their arrest in a non-judgmental manner and proceeds to educate them about "What is a Drink", setting up a table with mock samples of beer, wine, and liquor. Most Drinkers do not know how much alcohol impairs their driving skills and increases the risk of injuring or killing someone. As Dr. Roth demonstrates how much of each beverage will take them to the .08 BAC and how much the crash-risk is increased, you can see that the offenders are truly giving their undivided attention to this demonstration. Dr. Roth usually has recovering alcoholics speak to the offenders about their own experiences. Alcoholics speak first-hand about how their drinking affected their family, friends, work, and driving risks. Some of them have been injured because of their own actions, and that makes the audience relate to the fact that they can also be injured and kill themselves. The Victims of DWI are prepared before hand to address the offenders in a non-judgmental fashion, their main function is to relate their tragedies as examples of what could be caused by another attempt by the offenders to drink and drive. Victims are urged to assume that the offenders have no intention of killing or injuring anyone. Victims have a close proximity to the audience so they can pass around pictures of the loved one they have lost, answer questions and even at times get a hug. Some Victims also show short videos to further illustrate their stories. Near the end of the session, QUESTIONNAIRES are passed to the offenders to give them the opportunity to give anonymous feedback on the panel and to offer suggestions. The feedback from the offenders indicates that the panels are an eye-opening experiences for most attendees. Panel Observations by Santa Fe Community College Student - Dana Mcintosh Long Anonymous Comments Written by DWI Offenders After Santa Fe DWI Victim Impact Panel #85 August 20, 2008 " Very strong well done. So "real", not preachy or pedantic. You must film these very brave, smart moving speakers. These vignettes should be on television instead of the awful DWI "nights of summer" ads now running… " My friend Dwane wrecked into a semi and lots of family have been sick or died. I don't just just don't want to get another DWI [and] kill someone or myself. [liked most] opening my eyes to reality. Everything really positively affected me. " Too many things to lose and the consequences are not worth it. " My best friend was hit by a truck driver while he was driving drunk. The driver was an illegal immigrant; both of them had multiple bones broken. My best friend had to declare bankruptcy, and will never be the same. I will have this many more reasons not to drink, and drive " A friend was in a car accident in 2001. One evening he was driving from a friend's house going on the highway to his house and a car wrecked into him. The girl who wrecked into him was drinking and instantly died when they crashed. My friend survived fortunately but has back problems and trauma! After this presentation I honestly feel blessed to be here and be so young and feel horrible about drinking and driving. I feel ashamed and won't be drinking and driving again. The speakers where awesome because it makes you realize that its real life. " Every person regardless of age, race needs to be concerned. Just keep on relating as much information as possible in these meetings. " Opened my eyes about drinking and driving and the effects of it on family. My views have changed about drinking and driving I know I can't handle it. I liked the speakers. Overall really good. " I don't want this s___ in my life anymore. " I liked everything about the panel. " A drunk and driver killed my aunt in a head on crashed. I'm very scared now more than ever!! " I am more aware of the consequences. Also, not ventures to contribute to any of the pain that the speakers experienced. " Two of my friends [were killed]. As we were going home we rolled over on a truck. Your luck could run out, and end up killing someone or yourself. " A lot more reasons more not to do it. [DWI] " My friend is currently in prison for six years after waking from a coma of several weeks. [Liked most] the reality of this class opening my eyes and hopefully other as well. " The statistics are shocking. " How it affects my family, friends, and everyone else. I know I have to be around responsible people. " It had a great deal of impact. " Keep it up, you are helping. " My dad threw up his liver and died. My friend is now paralyzed from flying 50 ft out a car. " This should be a requirement before getting a drivers license. " It has made me look at drinking and driving differently and not to do it. " With this 1st offense DWI, I learned my lesson [not] to drink and drive. Driving is a privilege this is a serious crime people need to take it like that. " Drinking and driving affects everyone around you, people you know, people you love, and friends. I didn't come here for drinking and driving but it's opened my eyes to the effects and consequences. " A large impact. " It's touched my soul. I couldn't live with the heartbreak of causing a tragedy. [liked most] the stories and stats. " [liked most] all the speakers had important messages that had a major impact on my views.