New Mexico Department of Health announces decline in fatal overdoses

repeat prescriptions in order to curtail drug seeking and doctor shopping.

New Mexico officials also formed the Prescription Drug Misuse and Overdose Prevention and Pain Management Advisory Council — a faction administratively attached to the Department of Health — whose members meet quarterly to discuss the current status of nationwide prescription drug misuse, overdose prevention and pain management methods.

The members are selected by the governor and are made up of at least one representative from groups such as the state’s medical board and the board of pharmacy. It must include at least one consumer healthcare advocate and one pain management specialist — members cannot have any direct connections or financial interests in the healthcare field. Their mission promotes public health through safety-net services for the citizens of New Mexico.