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.