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Isaiah Atencio
Ms. Lopez
ENGL 1120-080
04/12/2024
Exposé on drugs in New Mexico

New Mexico is one of the most notorious states for dealing with drug abuse, and drug

distribution. New Mexico itself is such a beautiful state full of diversity, culture, food and so

much more. For the most part I think New Mexico as a whole does an okay job at “Hiding” the

problems that we really deal with here because of all the drugs that are ruining our city’s,

neighborhoods, and most definitely our people. In recent decades we have found ourselves as the

center of the drug epidemic in the United States. Drugs ruin our people here, and it doesn't matter

where you come from, what race, background, or even age. Once you get hooked onto something

here it’s almost like you're stuck for life and drugs become your new normal, your new way to

function and live, which is so very sad and unfortunate. The consequences of getting your foot

caught into this drug life is horrid. With drug overdose related deaths reaching as young as 10

years old. Roughy 4 people a day are passing away from drug overdose causes here in New

Mexico. New Mexico has a drug abuse rate of 15.9% which is higher than the National average

of 14.7%. Drug’s down here in New Mexico are no joke, and it's only getting worse.

To be able to understand the extent of the drug issue here in New Mexico it is very

important to explore the influences that have led to New Mexico being in this type of severity

with drugs. Over time New Mexico’s close location to major drug trafficking paths like the El

Camino Real since we are so close to Mexico has positioned New Mexico as a key location for

illegal substances/paraphernalia to come through or even create a headquarters for distribution

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nationwide or even just to surrounding states of New Mexico. Today New Mexico is in the worst

shape it has ever been when talking about drugs. New Mexico ranks among the top states in the

nation for drug overdose deaths with opioids, methamphetamine, and heroin being the top drugs

that are to blame for the cause. According to the New Mexico Department of Health drug

overdose deaths have skyrocketed over recent years, claiming thousands of lives annually and

leaving the ones who didn't pass away with a nasty addiction to these drugs. The New Mexico

Department of Health has a stat chart from 2017-2022 showing that Rio Arriba county is the

worst in the state with a median of 198,694 deaths over 5 years that were caused by a drug

related death or overdose. As we go into this exposé it is crucial to expose the truths surrounding

substance abuse in New Mexico with understanding, insight and a dedication to make it better by

bringing attention to the severity of this problem.

To really understand the extent of New Mexico's battle against drug abuse and trafficking

we need to understand its background. For centuries New Mexico's strategic position along trade

routes like the El Camino Real made it a popular place of trade and cultural exchange. While

these routes allowed the flow of goods they also opened up avenues for the trade of items like

alcohol, tobacco and eventually drugs. The Spanish colonization introduced substances to the

area, including alcohol and tobacco laying the foundation for more dangerous and nasty drugs

later on.

The 20th century brought about a wave of drug spread in New Mexico. The end of

Prohibition in 1933 led to increased alcohol consumption while the Great Depression pushed

New Mexicans into struggles creating fertile ground for substance abuse.
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Besides being close to Mexico which is a major producer of drugs and made it easier for

narcotics, like marijuana and heroin to be smuggled into New Mexico.

In this part of the century there was a significant increase in drug trafficking because of

politics and the way people live. The Mexican cartels and other organized crime groups played a

big role in making New Mexico a place for drug transportation across borders. Additionally the

cultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s popularized drugs leading to almost a need for

illegal substances.The 1980s brought about a change in how drugs were seen in New Mexico

with the rise of crack cocaine that caused widespread devastation and a lot of deaths nationwide.

The availability of crack cocaine had effects on both urban areas and rural regions making it

worse. The increase of use of methamphetamine added to New Mexico’s drug related challenges

as it became more accessible and very addictive.

Over the years New Mexico faced struggles with drug abuse as new substances and

trends came to New Mexico. Opioid painkillers, which were used as solutions for pain relief

became very common resulting in a rise in addiction rates and fatal overdoses. At the time

synthetic drugs like bath salts created new obstacles for law enforcement and healthcare

providers. In today's world the results of colonization, migration, and wealth gap still influences

the drug scene in New Mexico. Even though efforts to fight drug use through education,

prevention, and treatment programs the roots of the issue remain horribly deep. Dealing with the

influences that have fueled drug abuse in New Mexico calls for an approach that is very thought

out and aims to tackle the root causes. It’s by facing these truths that we can hope to pave a way

towards recovery and strength for New Mexico.

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New Mexico is facing a challenge with drug abuse, impacting individuals and

communities across the state. The rise in drug related overdoses and fatalities has become a

cause for concern with opioids, methamphetamine, “blues”, and heroin playing roles in this

crisis.The misuse of prescription painkillers and the easy access to opioids like heroin are factors

contributing to the ongoing problem of opioid abuse. The large amount of prescription opioids

and what seems like carelessness have led to the misuse and addiction among residents of New

Mexico reaching mostly the Northern and South Central. It’s the illegal trade of opioids that

continues to grow as traffickers exploit weaknesses within the healthcare system.

The use of methamphetamine or as they call it “meth” is also increasing due to how

available it can be, and how affordable it really is. The harmful impact of this drug is clear

through rising arrests, emergency room visits and deaths from overdoses. Drug cartels take

advantage of New Mexico's terrain and borders for producing and distributing

methamphetamine. Heroin remains an issue as many drug abusers resort to it as a substitute for

prescription opioids. The regularity of heroin highlights how connected the states’ drug crisis

really is with opioids leading users towards dangerous substances and a very unfortunate

lifestyle.

The presence of opioids like fentanyl poses a danger because of their high potency and

unpredictable nature. Even small amounts can be fatal resulting in a rise in overdose fatalities.

The secretive way of producing drugs makes it challenging to control, giving producers and

distributors of the drug the freedom to distribute their goods without consequences at least most

of the time. The impact of drug abuse goes beyond users putting pressure on healthcare systems,

New Mexicos’ law enforcement and community services. New Mexico experiences increased
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crime rates, backed up emergency services, and broken hurt families. The shame that's said with

addiction often stops those in need from trying to get help which creates an endless cycle.

Efforts to tackle the crisis involve prevention programs like a local on which is named

RAC stop which is a substance treatment and outreach prevention program, law enforcement

actions and strategies to try and reduce the harm. Prevention programs try to educate

communities about the dangers of drugs and encourage choices. Treatment efforts focus on

increasing access to proven solutions like medication treatment, therapy, or rehab. Law

enforcement agencies in New Mexico try their best to put a stop to drug trafficking networks and

stop shipments. Harm reduction approaches provide tools such as naloxone kits, needle exchange

programs and peer support groups according to the website of RAC Stop.

Despite these solutions the path to recovery is long and takes a lot of determination and

heart. Dealing with the factors contributing to this drug crisis requires an approach involving all

the different parties trying to help, to be able to work as one big team. By promoting, showing

and investing in proven solutions. New Mexico can move towards a future where all of its people

have the chance to live lives from addictions and its holds.

The issue of drug misuse involves a ton of substances each, with its own effects and

outcomes. It is important to understand the drugs commonly misused in New Mexico to

effectively address the drug crisis.

Opioids are one of the most dangerous drugs misused in New Mexico. Both prescription

painkillers and illegal opioids like heroin fall into this category, known for their addictiveness

that can result in overdose and fatalities. Prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone

and fentanyl are often used for pain management.They are frequently abused, leading to users to
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be dependent on it to function and a hard addiction. Illegal opioids like heroin serve as

alternatives to prescription medications worsening their misuse.

Another significant concern in New Mexico is methamphetamine or meth. This powerful

stimulant affects the system causing intense euphoria and heightened energy levels. The misuse

of methamphetamine has seen an increase in New Mexico city’s recently due to its affordability,

easy accessibility and its strongness. The effects of this drug can be severe resulting in addiction,

cognitive decline like dementia and physical health issues.

The production and distribution of methamphetamine present major challenges for law

enforcement and public health authorities as labs and trafficking networks continue to grow

throughout the state.

In New Mexico marijuana remains a substance despite being legalized in 2021 for use in

certain states. While some communities view marijuana use as common and somewhat

acceptable it can still lead to users depending on it and bad health consequences when used

excessively or regularly. The legalization of marijuana for purposes has sparked concerns about

its impact on public health and safety including issues like impaired driving and increased

availability to teens and young minors in New Mexico. Although marijuana is often seen as less

harmful than other drugs its misuse can still cause serious problems for the people who use it.

Apart from opioids, prescription drugs cover a variety of substances that are mostly

misused in New Mexico. Benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium)

commonly prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders are often abused for their effects.

Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

(ADHD) are also misused for their effects. The inappropriate use of prescription drugs carries
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risks including addiction, overdose and negative health outcomes focusing on the importance of

prescribing practices and patient education.

Cocaine which is not as popular as opioids and methamphetamine, is still a significant

substance of abuse in New Mexico. This aggressive stimulant creates feelings of happiness and

increased energy. Also has risks of addiction, heart issues and other health complications.

Cocaine use is often linked to behaviors and criminal acts raising concerns for safety and putting

pressure on New Mexicos’ law enforcement. Despite attempts to reduce its availability and

usage, cocaine remains a challenge for communities throughout the state.

Synthetic drugs like cannabinoids (Spice and K2) and synthetic cathinones (like bath

salts) are emerging as a threat in New Mexico. These artificially made substances mimic the

effects of drugs such as marijuana and amphetamines but come with dangers due to their

unpredictability and strength. Synthetic cannabinoids have been shown to have effects like

psychosis, seizures and even fatalities.

Inhalants may not be as commonly abused as substances in New Mexico. It is still an area

of concern especially among young people. Inhalants include household and industrial products,

like paint thinner, gasoline and aerosol sprays that are inhaled for their intoxicating effects.

Inhaling substances can have health effects, such as brain damage, organ failure and even death.

The easy availability of inhalants and the lack of awareness as far as their risks create danger to

the users who are experimenting with this substance.

The rise of designer drugs, such as opioids like new psychoactive substances adds

complexity to the issue of drug abuse in New Mexico. These drugs are often produced in labs.

Distributed through illegal ways creating major challenges for law enforcement and public health
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authorities. Designer drugs are specifically designed to evade existing drug laws and regulations

making them hard to detect and regulate. Their availability and how unpredictable they are also

increase the chances of users experiencing overdose or bad reactions.

To sum up drug abuse in New Mexico it involves a range of substances with a ton of risks

and consequences. From opioids and methamphetamine to marijuana and prescription

medications, substance abuse creates problems for individuals, families and communities

statewide. Tackling this problem needs a strategy that includes prevention efforts, treatment

options, law enforcement reinforcements, as well as educational programs.