POJOAQUE PUEBLO — A wax “1” sat atop layers of cake, sprinkles and frosting — but it wasn’t a birthday cake.
The candle celebrated Stefan Catanach’s first year of sobriety and marked his graduation from the Pueblo of Pojoaque Tribal Courts’ Path to Wellness program.
The program, which has existed for more than a decade, honored two graduates Tuesday in its first official graduation ceremony. It diverts people who have committed nonviolent crimes related to substance use toward a year of behavioral health support and addiction treatment, said Chief Judge Anthony Mozingo.
“It isn’t an easy program,” the judge said. “It’s only for those that are committed to changing their life.”
For Catanach, a year of hard work — going to counseling, regularly attending meetings and classes, and holding down at least one and sometimes two jobs — led to Tuesday’s graduation ceremony.
“That was pretty much nonstop, every week for the whole last year — and I’m about to graduate,” he said.
Jim Weber/The New Mexican
Treatment courts — court programs designed to redirect people accused of certain crimes toward behavioral health services rather than incarceration — aren’t new. By the end of 2024, more than 4,000 such programs operated across the U.S., according to data from the National Treatment Court Resource Center. New Mexico treatment courts served 12 of the state’s 13 judicial districts in fiscal year 2025, according to an annual report from the state’s judiciary.
Studies have shown treatment courts can reduce criminal legal system costs and rates of re-arrest, although a recent report from the Prison Policy Initiative asserts too-narrow eligibility criteria can limit access to the specialty courts.
A longtime state court judge, Mozingo said there’s a particular focus on treatment programs in tribal courts.
As a result of shared tribal heritage, traditions and customs, he said, “the community is much more interested in trying to help someone, if it’s possible, than to punish them. … There is more of an emphasis in tribal courts on wellness programs than there is in state courts.”
Jim Weber/The New Mexican
Still, the Path to Wellness program has a few eligibility requirements. People can be referred to the program if they’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and charged with a crime, but those accused of violent crimes or of selling drugs are excluded, Mozingo said.
From there, participants complete regular counseling sessions with counselors and psychologists on the pueblo. Participants who successfully complete the program graduate without a criminal record.
The truth underlying the treatment court, Mozingo said: “It’s not always the answer to lock someone up. If these people are professionally treated, and that is balanced with a dose of consequences and discipline in their daily lives, people … respond to that.”
Path to Wellness Director Angel Martinez said the program is about more than completing requirements or checking boxes. She described the program as helping participants build “healthier lives” with the support of friends, family, mentors and court staff.
Jim Weber/The New Mexican
“Today is a special occasion,” Martinez said during Tuesday’s graduation ceremony. “It is time to recognize determination, perseverance and personal growth. … The individuals we honor today have faced significant challenges and made the courageous decision to pursue positive change.”
She continued, “Their stories remind us that change is possible, that setbacks do not define a person, and that perseverance can lead to meaningful success.”
After a year of effort, Catanach is planning for consistency.
“I’m just going to keep going and … keep focused on what my goals are for the future,” he said.
