So Do We Need These Services?
The need for mental health and substance abuse treatment is undisputed. New Mexico has been consistently ranked as #1 in the nation for drug overdose over the span of two decades. New Mexico has spent $890 million to address prescription drug abuse. 1 in 5 people who abuse prescribed drugs will move on to heroin. Rio Arriba County continues to rank #1 in the state for drug overdose rates-67.7 per 100,000 as contrasted to the state average of 22.4. According to the New Mexico Department of Health Statistics 2012, there were 25 male and 8 female drug overdoses (33 total) in Rio Arriba County Taos County ranks seventh with 29.7 per 100,000. Taos county is also bordered by the two highest counties in overdose deaths-Rio Arriba and Mora counties. (NM Indicator Based Information System Report) . In Taos County, 10 males and 4 females died of drug overdose in 2012.
New Mexico rates 2.6% for deaths contributed to liver disease as compared to 1.3% nationwide. Homicide is 25% higher rate in New Mexico than the national average. Suicide is 75% higher than the national average in New Mexico. (NM Indicator Based Information System Report)
According to an NIH report released February 2014, the DSMIV criteria for heroin dependence or abuse more than doubled from 2002 (214,000) to 2012 (467,000). Admissions to treatment for heroin abuse went from 11% admissions in 2008 to 26% admissions in the first half of 2012. These numbers only capture those who actually were ADMITTED into treatment. The New York Times published two articles on April 19, 2015, identifying the need for substance abuse treatment nationally. Heroin use has tripled in the last 3 years.
The problems associated with opiate addiction are myriad. Hepatitis C, MRSA and incarceration are only a few. These issues effect entire communities and the issues are becoming more pronounced as addiction rates continue to rise. INSIDE OUT is dedicated to serving those who have addiction issues as well as those who are released from incarceration. These populations are particularly in need of peer support and case management to assist with life issues which include acquiring copies of paperwork and identification, transportation to a rehab or detox, referral appointments for medically assisted treatment and peer support to assist with maintenance of newfound recovery.