OPIOID DEATHS IN NEW MEXICO SEEM TO BE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. NEW MEXICO HAS BEEN AMONG THE WORST STATES FOR FATAL OVERDOSES FOR MANY YEARS…BUT DEATHS TIED TO PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS HAVE FALLEN NOW FOR THREE YEARS IN A ROW.
STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST MICHAEL LANDEN SAYS THEIR PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM AT THE BOARD OF PHARMACY THAT TRACKS OPIOID PRESCRIBING. HE SAYS ONE REASON THE NUMBERS ARE DOWN IS THAT FEWER OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS ARE BEING WRITTEN. BUT WHILE OPIOID RELATED DEATHS ARE DROPPING, DR. LANDEN SAYS OVERDOSES TIED TO METH AND ANTI-ANXIETY MEDICATIONS LIKE VALIUM ARE ON THE INCREASE.
