SANTA FE, NM – As part of its ongoing commitment to combat opioid abuse, addiction, and death in our state, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) announced today that it is adding a new video series to its arsenal in its awareness campaign. Compelling, unscripted, original video stories about real-life people who have been affected by abuse, will now be shared across New Mexico as part of the Department’s “There Is Another Way” campaign. The series will tell the story of opioid abuse from three points of view – patients in treatment for addiction, those who work with people in treatment for addiction, and those who have had love ones impacted by addiction. The first video is available on the NMDOH YouTube page and Facebook page. 

“These powerful first-hand accounts will go a long way in making people realize that we are all in this epidemic together,” said NMDOH Secretary Kathy Kunkel. “We want to highlight the fact that opioids can be dangerous and addictive, while also reminding New Mexicans that there are other options for treating pain. There are resources available to prevent and treat addiction.”

The first video begins the series by bringing to light the widespread challenges New Mexico faces when it comes to opioid abuse and misuse. 

“We have to talk about the issue as a community or we will have no hope of solving the problem. We can’t sweep our State’s addiction and death rates under the rug and hope they go away,” said Kunkel.

The second video shares the story of a mother who lost her son to addiction and a New Mexican who has seen friends and family struggle with addiction. The videos will be rolled out in the coming months on the “There Is Another Way” campaign website and social media platforms.

In recent years, New Mexico has seen some decrease in drug overdose deaths. In 2017, NMDOH reported 24.8 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people, which ranks New Mexico 17th in the nation.

The “There Is Another Way” campaign is a statewide, multifaceted campaign primarily focused on creating a new generation of well-informed patients and caregivers who are educated about safer pain management options and alternative pain management strategies. Comprehensive information on non-opioid alternatives, addiction resources and prescription opioid misuse is available on the campaign website, AnotherWayNM.com.