Patrick M. Allen, Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Health | Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Patrick M. Allen, Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Health | Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
New Mexico has seen a reduction in drug overdose deaths for the second year in a row, according to recent mortality data. The state recorded an 8% decline in overdose fatalities since 2021, when the number reached its peak at 1,029 deaths. This information was compiled by the epidemiology team at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH).
In 2022, there were 997 overdose deaths reported in New Mexico, and this figure decreased to 948 in 2023.
“These decreases are welcome news, but there is still much more to do to reduce the problem of substance misuse in New Mexico,” said NMDOH Interim Secretary Gina DeBlassie. “Substance misuse is a multifaceted and complex public health issue, and we need to continue to aggressively attack this problem.”
Fentanyl played a role in 65% of overdose deaths last year. Methamphetamine involvement was also significant, contributing to 51% of these fatalities.
The majority of overdose victims (84%) were between the ages of 25-64 years old. Within this group, those aged 35-44 accounted for 26% of the deaths.
There were fewer than ten overdose cases among individuals younger than 15 or older than 75 years.
Counties with both high numbers of overdose deaths (over twenty) and rates exceeding the statewide age-adjusted rate (46.3 per 100,000 population) included Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel.
For further details on this press release, Robert Nott can be contacted at his office for inquiries.
A Spanish version of this press release is available through a provided link for accessibility purposes.
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