County Works to Beat Opioid Surge While Federal Actions Backfire
Bernalillo County has poured hundreds of millions into stopping fentanyl, providing people with help and safety nets. The county runs programs that:
- Cut risks
- Offer crisis care
- Treat addiction
- Provide housing for those in need
- Collaborate with police
Front‑line staff are ready to help anyone hit by the drug epidemic.
The Menace of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a very strong painkiller—100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin for pain relief. The DEA reports that illegal groups are producing fake pills that look like real prescriptions and selling them online. These counterfeit pills, disguised as oxycodone, hydrocodone or even stimulants, can be bought by anyone with a phone.
DEA’s Alleged Complicity
Recent findings suggest that between 2023 and 2025, the DEA allowed large amounts of fentanyl pills to spread through Albuquerque. Officials allegedly watched certain shipments and chose not to seize them, hoping to build larger cases against major drug rings. The community says this cost lives and hurt families. They want the DEA to help, not hinder.
Calls for Accountability
Local lawmakers in New Mexico have called for a full probe into the situation. They urge federal agencies to:
- Stop sending more of this dangerous drug into neighborhoods
- Provide more outreach workers, treatment spots and housing
Accountability is demanded so that the mistake never repeats elsewhere.
A Simple Tool for Saving Lives
While nothing can bring back those lost, recovery can start now. Naloxone—a simple tool that can reverse an overdose in minutes—is safe for anyone to use. It’s available over the counter or free through local programs and can save a life if you’re in the right place at the right time.
