Committee backs memorial asking Department of Health to study overdose prevention centers

Senate Memorial 21, presented in the Senate Rules Committee, requests the Department of Health to conduct a formal study evaluating the efficacy and feasibility of a statewide overdose prevention program, including the possible implementation of overdose prevention centers.

Denali Wilson, a registered lobbyist with the ACLU of New Mexico representing the All Safe New Mexico coalition, told the committee that New Mexico is one of three states where overdose deaths increased in the last year and urged study of harm-reduction strategies. She described overdose prevention centers as facilities where trained staff can respond immediately to overdoses, prevent deaths and connect people to treatment. "An overdose prevention center is a specialized facility where trained staff can respond immediately to an overdose, prevent deaths, and connect people to treatment and medical care," Wilson said.

Wilson cited county-level increases she attributed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data and named Rio Arriba, Taos and Santa Fe counties as especially affected; she gave percentage increases for those counties during questioning (Rio Arriba +48%, Santa Fe +104%, Taos +340%). A senator asked for verification of those county figures against Department of Health data and requested refinement for accuracy before further public reporting.

Committee members noted current budgeted funds that could support a study: the presenter observed that the budget includes $3.5 million in recurring DOH funding and $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds, which could be used for a feasibility study. Members expressed interest, particularly for rural areas where hospitals are distant, and then moved and recorded a due pass on the memorial.

The memorial asks DOH to identify statutory or regulatory changes necessary for responsible development and implementation of an overdose-prevention program if the study supports it.