NEW MEXICO NOW LEADS IN NATION IN METHAMPHETAMINE OVERDOSE DEATHS. EPIDEMIOLOGIST MICHAEL LANDEN WITH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT’S THE OUTCOME FOR 2014. HE SAYS MOST OF THOSE DEATHS ARE RELATED TO OPIOIDS … WITH MOST OD’S OCCURRING IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF NEW MEXICO. THE REASON FOR THE HIGH NUMBER OF METHAMPHETAMINE OVERDOSES IN NEW MEXICO INVOLVES ONE OF THE USUAL SUSPECTS: POVERTY.
PEOPLE START OUT USING ALCOHOL … OR ARE PRESCRIBED AN OPIOID BY THEIR DOCTOR … THEN EVENTUALLY GRADUATE TO METHAMPHETAMINES. HE SAYS WORKING WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CAN HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OPIOIDS PRESCRIBED TO NEW MEXICANS.
