New Mexico
CDC: New Mexico ranks sixth in the country for fatal overdoses
New data from the Centers for Disease Control shows just how bad drug addiction is in New Mexico. Every year, on average, more than 1,000 New Mexicans die from drug overdoses.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New data from the Centers for Disease Control shows just how bad drug addiction is in New Mexico. Every year, on average, more than 1,000 New Mexicans die from drug overdoses.
It’s a problem that Dr. James Besante, with the Santa Fe Recovery Center, says especially impacts our rural communities.
“Our rural communities are disproportionately hit because there’s an enormous issue that’s growing and few avenues of treatment,” Dr. Besante said.
According to the CDC, New Mexico ranks sixth nationally for the most fatal overdoses. Dr. Besante says it isn’t just an opioid crisis anymore.
“We are somewhere in the fourth wave of this crisis that’s always evolving. Most now consider it a polysubstance overdose crisis. When individuals overdose now, there are multiple substances in their system, often times strong, synthetic opioids accompanied with stimulants like methamphetamines,” he added.
Based on that data, overdoses may not be our state’s only health emergency.
“New Mexico ranks high in many negative health indicators, not just overdoses,” Dr. Besante said.
He added unemployment and poverty levels rurally are among the highest contributing factors to health issues facing our state. That is why he says clinics are vital.
“There’s often times long waits to access care, and that is difficult. Because when someone’s ready for change, it’s important to meet that person where they’re at. And it’s one of the reasons we offer services that are in line with harm reduction principles,” Dr. Besante said.
Our reputation for a lack of resources is also getting national attention. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is premiering a recovery documentary in Albuquerque this Saturday.
Dr. Besante only hopes our lawmakers can put more resources in our state but especially our rural communities where he’s seen firsthand the difference they make.
“I recently was working with a client who’s now three years into recovery. She just graduated from college, and she’s taking her two children and their entire family on a vacation to Disneyland,” he said.
The documentary “Recovering America” will debut this Saturday at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque. The event starts at 2 p.m. and will have a panel discussion afterward.
If you’d like to learn more about how to attend the premiere in Albuquerque, click here.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife rereleased a wolf into Grand County this week after it had traveled into New Mexico, according to a news release.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish captured gray wolf 2403 and returned the animal to Colorado.
Colorado wildlife officials decided to release the wolf in Grand County yesterday because of the proximity to “an unpaired female gray wolf,” nearby prey populations and distance from livestock, according to the release.
“Gray wolf 2403 has been returned to Colorado and released in a location where it can best contribute to CPW’s efforts to establish a self-sustaining wolf population while concurrently attempting to minimize potential wolf-related livestock conflicts,” said acting director of CPW Laura Clellan, according to the release.
The wolf was once a member of the Copper Creek pack but departed from it this fall.
A memorandum of understanding between Colorado and Arizona, New Mexico and Utah requires that any gray wolves that leave Colorado and enter those states be returned. That was created in part to maintain the integrity of a Mexican wolf recovery program.
“We recognized during the planning process that we would need to have consideration and plans to protect the genetic integrity of the Mexican wolf recovery program, while also establishing a gray wolf population in Colorado,” said CPW’s Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell, according to the release.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A judge sentenced a New Mexico man to nearly 20 years in prison for distributing meth and having guns in his possession to use while doing so.
Court records indicate 43-year-old David Amaya sold meth from a trailer on his parents’ property in Anthony throughout July and August 2024. Agents executed a search warrant Aug. 22 and found 1.18 kilograms of meth, two firearms and ammunition in the trailer and a makeshift bathroom.
Amaya pleaded guilty to possession of meth with intent to distribute it. A judge sentenced him to 235 months in prison.
Once he is out, Amaya will face five years of supervised release.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office and the Las Cruces Metro Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Williams prosecuted it.
The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 10, 2025, results for each game:
Powerball
10-16-29-33-69, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Day: 8-2-7
Evening: 6-9-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Lotto America
03-13-37-42-44, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-0-7-8
Day: 3-7-2-0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Roadrunner Cash
02-04-06-21-22
Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball Double Play
13-15-51-67-68, Powerball: 08
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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