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Why Are So Many New Mexicans Dying from Prescription Drug Overdoses?

The NM Dept. of Health reports 1,074 lbs of oxycodone were sold here in 2010. That's up 233% over the last decade.
Photo: B.Futureproof via Flickr
The NM Dept. of Health reports 1,074 lbs of oxycodone were sold here in 2010. That's up 233% over the last decade.

KUNM Call In Show 5/24 8a: The number of people in New Mexico who died from prescription drug overdoses shot up by over 60% over the last decade.  What are local authorities doing to stop this trend?  Why such a quick increase?  What causes the increase in sales of prescription drugs?  We'd like to hear from you!  Email callinshow@kunm.org, leave a comment online, or call in live during the show.  

Guests: Mayor Richard Berry, City of Albuquerque; Michael Landen, Acting Director of the Public Health Division of the Department of Health; Jennifer Weiss, Heroin Awareness Committee

Albuquerque Opiod Needs Assessment Report

Elaine Baumgartel was KUNM's News Director from 2013 to 2019. She was local Morning Edition host from 2007 through 2012 and she regularly hosted the station's live news and public affairs show for some years. Elaine originally came on board at KUNM as a volunteer and student employee in 2003.