Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) is expanding access to life-saving overdose prevention tools with the installation of two "SMART" Naloxone Vending Machines—one in Grant County and one in Hidalgo County. These machines are part of New Mexico's statewide naloxone distribution effort, which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by the New Mexico Health Care Authority's Behavioral Health Services Division through a State Opioid Response (SOR) grant.
The Grant County Naloxone vending machine will be located at HMS Community Health Center, 1007 N. Pope Street, Silver City, NM 88061, and will be accessible Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Hidalgo County Naloxone vending machine will be located at the HMS Lordsburg Clinic, 530 DeMoss Street, Lordsburg, NM 88045, and will be accessible on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan) is a critical tool in the fight against opioid overdoses. It works by reversing the effects of opioids such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone and can restore normal breathing within minutes. Naloxone can be administered as a nasal spray or injection and is safe and easy to use, even by non-medical personnel. Increasing access to naloxone has been shown to significantly reduce overdose-related deaths and is a key component of public health strategies nationwide.
According to USAFacts, which uses finalized CDC mortality data, New Mexico recorded 993 overdose deaths in 2023, equal to 47 deaths per 100,000 residents. New Mexico has ranked among the states with the highest overdose death rates in recent years. Although county-level statistics are limited, Grant County reported 34.4 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents between 2012 and 2016 (CHI PHI, 2018). Opioid-specific death rates for Hidalgo County are not readily available in public datasets due to either statistically unstable or suppressed data for counties with small numbers of deaths.
The state has partnered with providers across New Mexico to establish Naloxone Training and Distribution Hubs, strategically placing naloxone in high need areas to increase access, distribution, and training. By capturing the ZIP code at the point of dispensing, the state can track distribution patterns and identify communities with the greatest need. For information about naloxone medication, overdose response, and treatment resources, visit DoseofReality.com.
"Providing easy, stigma-free access to naloxone is a vital step in protecting our communities," said Dr. Dan Otero, HMS CEO. "We are grateful to the New Mexico Health Care Authority for supporting this initiative and helping us ensure that individuals, families, and first responders have immediate access to a life-saving medication when it matters most."
The Naloxone vending machines are part of HMS's ongoing commitment to addressing substance use disorders through prevention, education, and harm reduction. By placing these machines in both Grant and Hidalgo Counties, HMS aims to reduce barriers to care and support community members in moments of crisis.
For more information about HMS services and community health initiatives, visit hms-nm.org or call 575-800-1HMS (1467).
