Need For Program

Need For Program

Taos County communities are struggling with an epidemic of drug and alcohol abuse that is destroying our families and hurting our community. Substance abuse is impacting “Rural America” and our detention center, court system, and our hospital have become a revolving door with a very high rate of recidivism among substance users. The New Mexico Department of Health’s Substance Abuse Epidemiology Profile show below that Taos County consistently ranks as one of the most troubled Counties in the State:

Taos County Epidemiology Profile 

American Indian

Hispanic

White

All Races

Alcohol-Related Death

22

80

41

143

Alcohol-Related Chronic Disease Death

15

46

21

82

Alcohol-Related Chronic Liver Disease Death

11

26

9

46

Chronic Liver Disease Hospital Discharges

34

75

34

154

Alcohol-Related Injury Death

7

34

20

61

Alcohol-Related Vehicle Traffic Crash Death

2

7

3

12

Drug Overdose Death

3

23

15

42

Opioid Overdose Related Emergency Department Visits

1

58

47

228

Suicide Death

2

25

29

56

Adult Mental Health

1,779

1,792

4,443

Adult Drinking and Driving (past 30 days)

1,226

1,092

2,291

(New Mexico Department of Health, 2018)

**Comparison: DWI Arrest: % of Repeat Offenders Report

 

New Mexico Statewide 

    

Total DWI Arrests

10,501

   

Repeat Offenders Arrested

2,169

   

Percent Repeat Offenders

21%

   
     

Taos County

    

Total DWI Arrests

144

   

Repeat Offenders Arrested

101

   

Percent Repeat Offenders

21%

   

** Source: NM DOT – Traffic Safety Bureau by University of New Mexico Geospatial and Population Studies 2017

 

Death is not the only consequence of Taos County’s substance abuse problem. Other ramifications include heightened rates of domestic violence, crime, poverty, unemployment, motor vehicle crashes and other injuries, as well as health problems like chronic liver disease and mental illness. Below are the demographics of Taos County to help ascertain the population that will be served:

Taos County Demographics- Key Indicators

Categories

Taos County

New Mexico

Population

32,907

2,081,015

White

36%

83%

African American

1%

3%

American Indian

7.5%

11%

Hispanic/Latino

56%

48%

Sex & Age

 

 

Female

51%

50%

Persons under 18

19%

24%

Persons between 18 & 65

58%

60%

Persons over 65

24%

16%

Veterans

 

 

Veterans 2011-2015

3,150

 

Health

 

 

With Disability under 65

14%

10%

Persons without Insurance

19%

13%

Unemployment

 

 

Taos County

8%

4.8%

Income & Poverty

 

 

Median Household Income

$36,582

$44,963

Average Male Salary 

$69,484

 

Average Female Salary 

$45,643

 

Persons in Poverty

19.9%

20.4%

Medicaid Recipients 

46.2%

40%

Education

 

 

High School Grad

87%

84%

Bachelor Degree

29%

26%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, New Mexico 2015

Unemployment Statistics, By County & State 2017

Health Indicator Report of Medicaid Enrollment 2016

 

Considering the current socioeconomic factors as highlighted above, males experience higher rates of substance abuse than females. Hispanics and Native Americans experience the highest death rates. The populations of focus will be men and women who are eligible for Medicaid or are indigent.

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