Activity Highlight
Total Funds: Approximately $884 million over 15 years
Local Allocation: Over 50% designated for local governments
Collaborative Efforts: Cities and counties, including Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Las Cruces, and Doña Ana County, are partnering to develop strategic plans
ORC Involvement: Seven rural counties collaborating to ensure equitable resource distribution
Overview
New Mexico is set to receive approximately $884 million over the next 15 years from opioid settlement funds, with just over half allocated to local governments. To maximize the impact of these funds, cities and counties across the state are collaborating to develop strategic plans aimed at combating the opioid epidemic.
In Santa Fe, officials convened to discuss the allocation of these funds, emphasizing the importance of community input in shaping effective strategies. The focus areas include expanding access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), enhancing wraparound services, and implementing comprehensive prevention efforts.
The Opioid Remediation Collaborative (ORC), representing seven rural counties—Catron, Cibola, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia—is actively participating in these discussions. The ORC aims to ensure that rural communities receive equitable resources and support to address the unique challenges they face in combating opioid misuse.
While some proposals, such as establishing safe-use sites, have been considered, they are not currently prioritized in draft plans. Stakeholders continue to evaluate various approaches to determine the most effective strategies for their communities.
Efforts are also underway to improve collaboration between prevention and treatment providers, with an emphasis on data sharing and coordinated care. By fostering a unified approach, New Mexico aims to create a robust and responsive system to address the opioid crisis effectively.
Making A Difference
We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a community partner, provider, or individual seeking support, reach out with your questions, ideas, or feedback. We’ll respond as soon as possible.
