Prescription drug abuse skyrocketing

OWN ALLIGATORS IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.// TONIGHT WE LOOK INTO AN EPIDEMIC THAT KILLS -- O...  More »

OWN ALLIGATORS IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.// TONIGHT WE LOOK INTO AN EPIDEMIC THAT KILLS -- ON AVERAGE -- ONE NEW MEXICAN EVERYDAY. OUR STATE CONSISTENTLY RANKS IN THE TOP 3 FOR OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE COUNTRY ... AND THERE'S A REASON WHY THE PROBLEM KEEPS GETTING WORSE. ERIC KAHNERT EXPLAINS THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT ... IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE LAND OF DRUG OVERDOSES. FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES NEW MEXICO HAS FOLLOWED WEST VIRGINIA AND UTAH AS THE WORST STATES IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS. IN RIO ARRIBA COUNTY -- THE WORST COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY FOR O-D DEATHS LAST YEAR -- THE EPIDEMIC HAS TAKEN THE LIVES OF ADULTS, TEENS AND EVEN INFANTS. 11:05 'these overdoses are completely preventable.-2' JULIE ROBERTS, WITH DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE NEW MEXICO, IS DESPERATELY TRYING TO LOWER THE DANGEROUS TREND. SHE SAYS O-D DEATHS FROM HEROIN AND COCAINE HAVE ACTUALLY REMAINED STEADY IN THE STATE 11:17 'new mexico is seen as a leader for some of the most innovative drug overdose prevention strategies.-5'BUT DESPITE ALL OF THOSE STRATEGIES ... ONE TREND IS PROVING TO BE TO BE TOO MUCH. 10:17 'unfortunately the most recent increases have been in prescription drug overdoses.-4'EASY TO GET ... AND EASY TO DIE FROM ... ROBERTS SAYS PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IS TAKING OVER. IN FACT, THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSES IN NEW MEXICO INVOLVING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS HAS GONE UP 250 PERCENT IN JUST THE PAST 6 YEARS. ROBERTS IS HOPING FEDERAL FUNDS WILL HELP NEW MEXICO FIGHT THE PROBLEM. ERIC KAHNERT, EYWN4. JUST LAST WEEK A CONGRESSWOMAN FROM MARYLAND INTRODUCED FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO CREATE FUNDING FOR OVERDOSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. IF APPROVED, NEW MEXICO WOULD GET  « Less