The New Mexico Division of Well being reported optimistic statewide developments for the second 12 months in a row in relation to alcohol-related deaths and deadly opioid overdose dying. Moreover, youth hashish use charges in New Mexico have fallen 37 % during the last 4 years.
Taos Alive, a neighborhood youth substance abuse prevention group, and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps Prevention Program introduced that reported “present hashish use” amongst Taos County highschool college students declined 31 % between 2021–23. The information was drawn from the most recent Youth Danger and Resiliency Survey outcomes.
This lower is almost 3 times the speed of the statewide discount, which declined by 11.8 %, a determine confirmed by the state Division of Well being.
“This encouraging pattern highlights the effectiveness of ongoing efforts by native organizations to fight substance misuse and its penalties amongst youth,” Taos Alive mentioned in a press launch. “Whereas there’s nonetheless work to be carried out, the progress made is a testomony to the dedication of the Taos neighborhood to help its younger individuals in making more healthy decisions.”
Alcohol-related deaths decreased in 2023 for the second consecutive 12 months, marking progress within the state’s efforts to fight alcohol misuse, in response to the New Mexico Division of Well being.
In 2023, NMHealth reported 1,896 alcohol-related deaths, down from 2,067 in 2022 and a couple of,274 in 2021, when the pattern peaked. New Mexico has traditionally had the very best alcohol-related deaths within the nation, with the newest nationwide knowledge (2021) displaying the state charge at greater than twice the nationwide common. Nonetheless, the state has achieved a 17.3 % decline within the age-adjusted charge of 102.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2021 to 84.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
David Morgan, public info officer for NMHealth, mentioned Taos County noticed a 25 % lower within the age-adjusted alcohol mortality charge between 2022-23. The age-adjusted charge declined from 113.2/100,000 inhabitants in 2022 to 84.8/100,000 inhabitants in 2023.
“The decline highlights the optimistic affect of focused interventions, neighborhood partnerships and coverage initiatives designed to handle alcohol misuse,” Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for NMHealth, mentioned in a press launch. “Whereas this progress is encouraging, we should stay dedicated to increasing entry to healthcare, together with substance use remedy, and implementing community-based interventions that tackle prevention.”
McKinley County had one of many largest decreases in alcohol-related deaths between 2021 and 2023 with a drop of 38 %. In McKinley County, substance use has been addressed by means of collaboration amongst a number of stakeholders, together with the Metropolis of Gallup, McKinley County prevention packages and the Gallup Indian Medical Heart. Companions present behavioral well being companies and case administration to high-risk and unsheltered populations and implement environmental methods, resembling limiting the hours that alcohol will be bought.
Alcohol-related dying is extra generally a results of the persistent results of alcohol, resembling persistent liver illness and most cancers. In 2023 these deaths occurred about one and a half instances extra usually than alcohol-related deaths from acute causes, like accidents or accidents.
In New Mexico, males die from alcohol-related causes extra usually than ladies. In 2023, the age-adjusted charge of alcohol-related dying was two and a half instances increased for males in comparison with ladies. From 2021 to 2023, the age-adjusted charge of alcohol-related dying decreased 16.1 % amongst males and 20.6 % amongst ladies.
State mortality knowledge confirmed a lower in drug overdose deaths statewide for the second consecutive 12 months since 2021 — though the speed of deadly overdoses in Taos County rose .01 % from 2022–23 and stayed just about flat in comparison with 2021, the 12 months deadly overdoses spike within the county and statewide.
Overdose deaths have declined 8 % statewide since 2021, when the variety of overdose deaths peaked at 1,029, in response to knowledge compiled by the epidemiology staff on the NMHealth.
In 2022, New Mexico had 997 overdose deaths. That quantity fell to 948 overdose deaths in 2023. In contrast to the alcohol- and cannabis-related statistics, well being officers did not straight attribute the decline in deadly overdoses to particular elements. Elevated availability of naloxone, the opioid overdose-reversal drug, and readier entry — a minimum of in some elements of New Mexico — to therapeutic medicine like buprenorphine that deal with dependence on opioids could also be elements.
“These decreases are welcome information, however there’s nonetheless far more to do to scale back the issue of substance misuse in New Mexico,” Interim Well being Secretary Gina DeBlassie mentioned in a press launch. “Substance misuse is a multifaceted and complicated public well being difficulty, and we have to proceed to aggressively assault this downside.”
Fentanyl was concerned in 65 % of overdose deaths in 2023. Methamphetamine was concerned in 51 % of overdose deaths.
In 2023, most overdose deaths (84 %) occurred amongst New Mexicans aged 25–64, with 26 % of overdose deaths occurring amongst adults between the ages of 35–44.
Lower than 10 drug overdose deaths occurred amongst people youthful than 15 years or older than 75 years, in response to state knowledge.
Counties that had each a excessive variety of overdose deaths — higher than 20 deaths — and an overdose dying charge higher than the statewide age-adjusted charge of 46.3 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2023 included Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and San Miguel.
When you or somebody you’re keen on thinks they could have a consuming downside, you will get help by calling the American Habit Facilities’ confidential alcohol hotline at 313-209-9574 or 988 for disaster help. When you need assistance discovering a supplier, please name the NMHealth Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).
