Santa Fe, N.M. – The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD) in collaboration with DEA 360 and The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation are partnering to host a statewide Youth Summit from Oct. 21-25, 2019, to promote community health and safety and educate attendees on the growing opioid epidemic. The summit will cover seven events in five cities over five days.

The summit will feature health and safety education, a screening of If Only, a short film intended for teens, parents and adults to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse, produced by James Wahlberg and various speakers and activities. It is designed to educate, inspire and engage local youth to be part of the solution and promote healthy choices and demonstrate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Many New Mexico schools are struggling with drugs within the school system and this event is designed to assist with awareness and education. The summits will feature presentations by families who have lost loved ones to the opioid crisis as well as youth in recovery speakers about the realities associated with drug use and abuse.

“The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis and education and awareness are critical to stopping it,” said deputy secretary Angela Medrano. 

The summit kicks off in Las Cruces on Oct. 21 and ends in Farmington on Oct. 25. The schedule is as follows:

Las Cruces: Oct. 21, 2019

Farm and Ranch Museum

4100 Dripping Springs Road

Las Cruces, NM 88011

10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Roswell: Oct. 22, 2019

New Mexico Military Institute, Pearson Hall

101 West College Blvd.

Roswell, NM 88201

9 - 11:30 a.m. and 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Pojoaque: Oct. 23, 2019

Pojoaque Valley High School

1574 State Road 502 West

Pojoaque, NM 87506

8:30 - 11 a.m.

Pojoaque: Oct. 23, 2019

Buffalo Thunder Resort

20 Buffalo Thunder Trail

Pojoaque, NM 87506

6 - 8 p.m.

Las Vegas: Oct. 24, 2019

NMHU Wilson Complex

1241 9th street

Las Vegas, NM 87701

8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

Farmington: Oct. 25, 2019

Pinon Hills Community Church

5101 N. Dustin Avenue

Farmington, NM 87401

10 - 12:30 p.m.

The summit is free, but attendees must complete a registration form prior to the event. You can register for the summit at https://togetherwearestrongernm.weebly.com/