THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THERE’S BEEN A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING OPIOID PAIN MEDICATION IN NEW MEXICO. THAT AFTER THE STATE STRENGTHENED ITS PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S DR. MICHAEL LANDEN SAYS THE LOWER NUMBERS ARE SIGNIFICANT IN A STATE LIKE NEW MEXICO. HE SAYS NEW MEXICO HAS THE 8TH HIGHEST DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE U-S.
DR. LANDEN SAYS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PAINKILLERS FELL FIVE PERCENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR…AND THOSE GETTING PRESCRIPTIONS FROM TWO DIFFERENT PRESCRIBERS FELL 13 PERCENT.
