New Mexico and many other states across the country are seeing a decline in overdose deaths, according to data from the CDC. Data from July of 2023 to July 0f 2024 shows New Mexico's overdose deaths are down about 18%. "I have seen those numbers go down. I don't necessarily think that the drug problem has gone down," said Jennifer Burke, the executive director at Serenity Mesa, a youth recovery center in Albuquerque. Burke said the key to getting those numbers down is outreach. "There's been a lot of education and awareness about fentanyl. I think the message is getting out there. I think that people are understanding that just because they think whatever they're buying on the street may not be what they're actually getting," Burke said. While she said the decrease is great news, she still sees addiction happening often, especially with young people. "I think that the drugs on the street aren't as deadly as they were. I think it's kind of a misperception that if the numbers overdose deaths, if the numbers are going down, the problem must be getting better. I do think that we can't really get our hopes up yet," said Burke. New Mexico's Department of Health data showed meth was one of the leading causes of overdose deaths in 2018 with heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs are also on the chart. However, since 2020, fentanyl has been the leading cause. "I think all drugs have deadly aspects to them. There's a lot of cocaine on the streets right now, and that cocaine is oftentimes mixed with other drugs," said Burke. "From what I've heard on the streets, there's a lot of what they call designer drugs. They're just a mix of a lot of different things and it's all chemicals."The CDC data shows the only states that are seeing an increase are Utah and Nevada.
New Mexico and many other states across the country are seeing a decline in overdose deaths, according to data from the CDC.
Data from July of 2023 to July 0f 2024 shows New Mexico's overdose deaths are down about 18%.
"I have seen those numbers go down. I don't necessarily think that the drug problem has gone down," said Jennifer Burke, the executive director at Serenity Mesa, a youth recovery center in Albuquerque.
Burke said the key to getting those numbers down is outreach.
"There's been a lot of education and awareness about fentanyl. I think the message is getting out there. I think that people are understanding that just because they think whatever they're buying on the street may not be what they're actually getting," Burke said.
While she said the decrease is great news, she still sees addiction happening often, especially with young people.
"I think that the drugs on the street aren't as deadly as they were. I think it's kind of a misperception that if the numbers overdose deaths, if the numbers are going down, the problem must be getting better. I do think that we can't really get our hopes up yet," said Burke.
New Mexico's Department of Health data showed meth was one of the leading causes of overdose deaths in 2018 with heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs are also on the chart. However, since 2020, fentanyl has been the leading cause.
"I think all drugs have deadly aspects to them. There's a lot of cocaine on the streets right now, and that cocaine is oftentimes mixed with other drugs," said Burke. "From what I've heard on the streets, there's a lot of what they call designer drugs. They're just a mix of a lot of different things and it's all chemicals."
The CDC data shows the only states that are seeing an increase are Utah and Nevada.