MOUNTAINAIR, N.M. — Three people are dead and more than a dozen first responders were quarantined and being treated Wednesday for exposure to an unidentified substance after being called to a suspected drug overdose at a rural New Mexico home, authorities said.

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New Mexico State Police said three of the four people who were found unresponsive inside the home east of Albuquerque died. The fourth was being treated at a hospital in Albuquerque.

During the response, authorities said, 18 first responders were exposed to the substance and began experiencing symptoms including nausea and dizziness. All of the first responders were transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where they were being monitored.

Two of the first responders were listed in serious condition, said Officer Wilson Silver with New Mexico State Police.

Albuquerque Fire Rescue Hazmat teams were assisting at the scene in Mountainair, a rural community east of Albuquerque, in efforts to identify the substance involved.

“At this time, investigators believe the substance may be transmitted through contact and do not believe it to be airborne,” Silver said.

While the investigation was ongoing, Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto said in a social media post that all indications were pointing toward narcotics as a possible factor. He added that there was no threat to the public and that a perimeter had been set up around the home.

Residents, however, took to social media to voice their frustrations about drug use in the community and elsewhere.

The mayor said the town’s law enforcement officers and first responders work every day to protect the community and respond to difficult situations.

“But the reality is that addiction and substance abuse are issues affecting communities all across our state and nation,” Nieto said. “There is no simple or immediate solution. Lasting change requires family support, accountability, education, and most importantly, individuals who are willing to accept help.”

New Mexico officially has a new political party just in time for election season. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s office confirmed on May 15 that the New Mexico Forward Party, a state affiliate of the national party started by businessman and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, achieved minor party status, qualifying the party to appear on November ballots, if its candidates gather enough signatures to qualify.

The party is already recruiting  for State House and county seats ahead of a June 25th deadline for minor party candidates to qualify, but five candidates have already announced their intentions to run under the new party banner. The initial slate includes Bob Perls, a UNM professor, for U.S. Senate, Michael Vigil for State Auditor, Karin Hendrickson for State House District 43, Dennis Dinge for Public Education Commission District 3, and Curtis Clough for Public Education Commission District 6. The Forward Party continues to recruit additional local and state candidates before the June 25 deadline for minor party declarations.

According to a press release from the organization, the newly formed political group submitted more than 5,500 signatures to qualify, surpassing the state requirement of 3,500 signatures. Their pitch to voters includes an invite for “For Independent (Decline to State; DTS) New Mexico voters. And Democratic New Mexico voters who want to get problems solved. And Republican New Mexico voters who no longer recognize their own party.”

Perls, who serves as the party’s senate candidate and state chairman, stated that the party gives voters a genuine alternative to the traditional two-party system, aiming to move the state “not left, not right, but Forward.” Interested voters can update their voter registration to the new party at their local county clerk’s office or find more details at nmforwardparty.org

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