The New Mexico Department of Health issued the following Press Release today regarding a collaborative initiative to address Albuquerque’s ongoing opioid crisis:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2024
Collaborative effort presents “Golden Opportunity”
to address opioid crisis in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE – A coalition of public health and safety organizations have created a “Golden Opportunity” initiative to enhance opioid addiction treatment and support across the Albuquerque Metro area.
The program is a collaborative effort of Albuquerque Community Safety, BernCo Cares Campus, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Albuquerque Ambulance Service, Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue, Courageous Transformations, Duke City Recovery Toolbox, Casa de Salud, and New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) Public Health Offices. The program aims to provide timely, life-saving interventions for individuals experiencing opioid overdoses and help them access treatment resources.
“New Mexico is on track for the first year-to-year decrease in overdose deaths since 2021,” said Patrick Allen, NMHealth Secretary. “This new collaboration presents a chance to reduce those numbers even further.”
According to Dr. Kimberly Pruett, Medical Director for Albuquerque Fire Rescue, “The Golden Opportunity initiative connects emergency responders with local service providers to ensure that individuals revived from an opioid overdose have immediate access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder, including Suboxone (buprenorphine), followed by direct transport to treatment facilities. This approach reduces the chances of repeated overdoses and ensures that individuals receive ongoing care and support.”
“This initiative provides a unique opportunity to engage individuals at a critical moment,” said Dr. Daniel Duhigg, Medical Director for Duke City Recovery Toolbox. “By offering immediate support after a near-death experience, we can help individuals who may be more open to treatment for opioid use disorder at that time. Our collaborative approach ensures they are connected to life-saving resources and treatment right when they are most likely to accept help, setting the stage for long-term recovery and a path away from future harm.”
“Our goal is to provide a compassionate, community-based response to opioid addiction,” said Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Emily Jaramillo. “It’s about offering the right help at the right time and ensuring that people have access to the resources they need to turn things around.”
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NMHealth
David Barre, Communications Coordinator | david.barre@doh.nm.gov | (505) 699-9237