The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention notes that New Mexico’s overdose death rate has improved. We’ve gone from 49th worst in the nation to 43rd. That is a substantial improvement. There is also a 7% drop in overdose deaths reported between 2014 and 2015. Nationwide, however, overdose deaths have risen 11%. Reportedly, 78 people die every day from opioid overdoses. There is still a lot of work to be done, and I’m ready to help tackle this problem at the national level. New Mexico should not be near the bottom of the list in regards to this serious problem that hurts our people. The current Republican agenda wants only to wall the border and imprison people. I want our state, and our nation, to help people at the source… through prevention, education, and providing job opportunities. The greatest weapon is ‘hope.’