MADD announces restructuring in Texas
Pub Date: 7/1/2006
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), one of the most recognized and successful social reform advocacy groups and characterized by some as neo-prohibitionist hasn't been in the news much of late, unless one counts the closing of a group of its Texas offices.
That kind of news is anathema to a group that has done nothing if not grow to an annual budget exceeding $50 million and publicly proclaiming a target of $70 million.
The group that has been commanding headlines promoting mandatory citizen roadblocks, ever lower blood alcohol content (BAC) levels for drunk driving conviction and ignition interlocks for every car, now is answering questions about an apparent contraction or "restructuring" in its home-state Texas operations.
Of late, if you're looking for news from MADD of the customary kind, you'll have to look north of the border to our more socialist neighbor, Canada.
There MADD has been pressing for a .05 BAC as well as tougher penalties for drunk driving and new measures to fight drug-impaired driving.
But way south of the border, MADD recently announced the closure of nine offices in its Texas operation July 1. The group claims it is simply transferring personnel from areas of low drunk driving incidence to areas with the problem to a greater degree.
However, MADD spokesperson Reita Hill, said the organization could reopen the offices if necessary funding became available. Offices in Odessa, Amarillo and Abilene, among others, have been targeted for shuttering.
A rival organization, Stop DWI, has vowed to take over the Odessa/Midland area campaign to reduce impaired driving in MADD's absence.
A MADD spokesperson said the organization has, for now, shifted its focus to "diversifying" its funding conduits, but with that accomplished, current offices could reopen and new ones open.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, July, 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.