New Mexico may be at the front where the war on drugs is concerned, because it has a long Mexican border and numerous drug gangs, but alcohol is the most widely abused substance in the entire state. Here is a breakdown of admissions to New Mexico’s drug and alcohol treatment centers that proves that fact, as well as providing information on the usage rates of other drugs.

Office of National Drug Control Policy, Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse

State of New Mexico Profile of Drug Indicators

April 2008

Of all the people in New Mexico, the most vulnerable group is its young people. Of the over ten thousand people that were admitted to drug or alcohol treatment in New Mexico, the under eighteen group made up 12% of the total. The 12-17 group was in the top ten in the US for many drugs.

However bad the illegal drug problem is in New Mexico, there is a threat that is much more sneaky- the misappropriation of prescription medications. The DEA says that a doctor shortage in New Mexico is contributing to the rise in the nonmedical use of prescription drugs, as people look to alternative sources such as street dealers and Mexican and Canadian pharmacies to get the drugs they want. Of course, there are extremely addictive drugs like Vicodin and Oxycontin and they are widely available, and almost twenty percent of seniors in America have abused them. Also, more young people are using them for the intense high they deliver when they are crushed and injected or snorted.

Despite the low number of doctors in New Mexico, there are a good number of drug and alcohol treatment centers in the state. Of all the 120 drug and alcohol centers in New Mexico, eleven are tribally owned, and thirty two programs offer Native American language services. For those with more serious addictions, there are thirty one facilities that offer residential treatment. Because most rehab centers in New Mexico are publicly funded, they are accessible to more of the state’s population. Those that are fighting opiate addiction need to be aware that there are options, but they may have to look a bit harder to find them. There are ten rehab facilities in Mexico that offer opiate treatment programs, and thirteen facilities and ninety three doctors licensed in the distribution of buprenorphine, a drug that treats withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

No matter what program is chosen, it’s important to get prompt and appropriate treatment at the first signs of drug addiction. The earlier a drug or alcohol abuse issue is caught and treated, the less of a chance there is of it developing into a full-blown addiction. This is especially true for teenagers, who are much more vulnerable to addiction to begin with. If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, get evaluated by your doctor. Only a physician is qualified to determine the severity of a drug addiction, and refer the patient to a New Mexico treatment program.

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