Legislation to Fight Drug Abuse and Overdose Fatalities

Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed legislation to fight prescription drug abuse and overdose fatalities in New Mexico.

“As a former prosecutor, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact prescription drug abuse has on our families and communities,” Governor Martinez said. “These bills will provide New Mexico with more tools and lifesaving medicine to fight the epidemic of prescription drug abuse and overdose in our communities.”

House Bill 277, sponsored by Representative Terry McMillan (R-Las Cruces), and Senate Bill 262, sponsored by Sen. Richard Martinez (D-Espanola), expand access to Naloxone, a prescription medication that can help reverse overdoses from opioids such as heroin, methadone, oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Senate Bill 263, sponsored by Senator Richard Martinez (D-Espanola), requires providers of opioid prescriptions to check New Mexico’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) the first time they prescribe these drugs to an individual, and to check the system every three months for repeat prescriptions, in order to reduce drug seeking.

Since taking office, Governor Martinez and her administration have implemented a comprehensive approach to fighting drug abuse in New Mexico, particularly regarding prescription drug abuse and fatalities. Through education efforts such as the “No Exceptions” drug awareness program, participation in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prevention efforts such as the PMP, and policy initiatives such as coverage of Naloxone through Centennial Care, New Mexico is continuing to make progress against prescription drug overdose fatalities.

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