NEW MEXICO’S OPIOID PROFILE IS DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY … AND WE HAVE OUR OWN SURVEY ON THE USE THE THOSE DRUGS IN THE STATE. KATHRYN LOWERRE WITH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY ASKED RESPONDENTS IF THEY KNEW ANYONE AT ANYTIME WHO HAS EVER BEEN ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS. SHE SAYS 63 PERCENT OF THEM RESPONDED “YES” TO THE QUESTION. SHE SAYS IT WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN NATIONALLY, BUT NOT OUT OF LINE WITH THE REST OF THE U-S.
LOWERRE SAYS THE FOLLOW UP QUESTION WAS WHETHER THE RESPONDENT WAS THE PERSON THAT WAS ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS.
SHE SAYS THE THREE THINGS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THAT KIND OF ADDICTION ARE PRESCRIPTION IMPROVEMENT … MEDICATION … AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE KNOW HOW AND WHERE TO GET NALOXONE IF THEY OVERDOSE.
