Drug Test - Las Cruces, NM

Las Cruces, New Mexico - Drug Testing

Government Efforts to Address Drug Problems in Las Cruces, NM

Las Cruces, NM residents experiencing an overdose can call 9-1-1 while remaining legally protected, thanks to New Mexico's Good Samaritan Law. The law was established back in 2007, and New Mexico was the first of many states to adopt the law. Calling for help saves lives and allows Las Cruces emergency personnel to administer Narcan, a life-saving drug known to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Overdose Prevention Program also offers resources to people who use opioids to help prevent overdoses. In addition, The Unified Prevention Coalition of Doña Ana County (UPC) works to prevent substance use among Las Cruces and Doña Ana County's youth and young adults.

Experts Say...

Dr. Ernest Flores, the medical director for Border Area Mental Health Services, Inc. in Las Cruces said that doctors used opioids to treat pain for decades and found them effective, but there's a risk of addiction when using opioids. He also said that in the early 2000s, physicians became aware of the opioid problem and had to change how they prescribed them. "Those are very dangerous because they're very potent," he said. "It doesn't take a lot for somebody to overdose on fentanyl that's been illicitly produced overseas. It doesn't take much for someone to die from that."

Notable Historical Events Related to Drug Use in Las Cruces, NM

In 2022, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Las Cruces took part in a multi-agency warrant that led to the arrest of 26 U.S. citizen fugitives, all wanted on narcotics charges. The operation, which began with a narcotics investigation, was known as Operation Crystal Blues. Undercover law enforcement officers purchased methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine from multiple drug traffickers in Otero County from August 2021 to February 2022. After the warrant, eight other criminal investigations began and involved the possession of controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and firearms by a felon.

Last updated 11/22/2022