Preliminary data shows drug overdose deaths are down in New Mexico

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Research shows that the fentanyl crisis has been getting worse every year in the U.S. but preliminary data for the most recent report is promising. That new study shows overdose death rates in New Mexico and across the nation are dropping.

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Since 2020, the state of New Mexico has been hit hard by the fentanyl crisis. “In 2020, New Mexico was ranked 11th highest in overdose death rates. Then in 2022, unfortunately, we had upped our numbers, we were 7th in overdose death rates,” said David Daniels, New Mexico Department of Health Harm Reduction Section Manager.

The exact overdose death rate numbers for 2023 aren’t in yet but researchers have some preliminary data and they’re seeing some surprising results. “From the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024…we did experience a 22% decrease in total drug deaths and a 32% decrease in fentanyl-involved death rates,” said Daniels.

This drop in overdose-related deaths isn’t just happening in New Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control released the national numbers earlier this summer and found that the death rates all across the U.S. are down 10.6%. It’s welcomed news but the cause is still unknown.

There are some leading theories like the increased availability of naloxone. “They want to be able to provide loved ones with Naloxone, which is the life-saving medication that reverses an opioid overdose. They also want to provide them with test strips that will be able to allow them to test their substances before they consume it,” said Lee Torres, Community Opioid Prevention Pilot Project.

Some of these chemical tests of street drugs in the state are showing some more surprising results. “In all corners of the state of New Mexico, we have been seeing a decrease in the fentanyl inside of these elicit pills, based on the drug checking machines that we have,” said Daniels. “We have not found any cross contamination with fentanyl and methamphetamine.”

“So the methamphetamine is just methampetamine, and most of the cocaine or crack we’ve checked has just been cocaine or crack,” said Technical Advisor Phillip Fiuty, Adulterant Checking Program.

Health experts are careful to say that the drug crisis in the state has a long way to go but this preliminary data is worth celebrating. “If there’s less overdoses, we’re doing good things,” said Daniels.

A survey conducted by the New Mexico Department of Health showed that there is a wider availability of life-saving drugs like Naloxone.

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