GRANTS, NM – As New Mexico continues to grapple with the impact of fentanyl and substance use, the Cibola Health Council, in collaboration with the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office, is organizing its second annual Fentanyl Awareness Event on March 14 and 15, 2025, at the Grants Recreation Center.
The two-day event aims to provide critical education, harm reduction strategies, and life-saving resources to the community.
The event is led by Lynette Gurule, a Health Council member and Master’s in Public Health student at New Mexico State University. Gurule, a longtime advocate for public health initiatives in Cibola County, hopes the event will spark meaningful conversations about fentanyl’s devastating impact and equip attendees with the tools to prevent overdoses.
“As a community member and a graduate student in Public Health, I am passionate about bringing awareness to the devastating impact of fentanyl in our communities,” Gurule said. “This event is about education, prevention, and support— ensuring that individuals and families have the resources they need to make informed choices and save lives.”
The event will feature expert panels, Narcan training, informational booths, and discussions with professionals and individuals with lived experience. Attendees will learn about the dangers of fentanyl, addiction treatment resources, and strategies for supporting loved ones affected by substance use disorder.
A Crisis That Still Requires Action
While New Mexico has seen a decline in drug overdose deaths for the second consecutive year, fentanyl remains a leading cause of overdose fatalities in the state.
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, overdose deaths have dropped by eight percent since 2021, with 948 deaths recorded in 2023— down from the peak of 1,029 deaths in 2021.
Despite this progress, fentanyl was involved in 65 percent of overdose deaths in 2023, underscoring the continued urgency for prevention and harm reduction efforts. Methamphetamine use also remains high, contributing to 51 percent of overdose fatalities.
Most overdose deaths occur among New Mexicans aged 25-64, with those between 35-44 years old making up 26 percent of fatalities. Certain counties— Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel—continue to experience higher-than-average overdose rates.
The Fentanyl Awareness Event will focus on both education and action, providing resources to those affected by substance use and equipping community members with tools to combat the crisis.
Friday, March 14
• 1:00 - 2:00 PM –
Professional Panel
• 2:00 PM – Narcan Training (Small Breakout Room)
• 2:30 - 3:30 PM – Opioid Remediation Collaborative Presentation o Narcan machine placements in the community o Presentation by an addiction specialist Saturday, March 15
• 10:00 - 11:00 AM –
Lived Experience Panel
• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM – New Mexico Dream Center & Human Trafficking Taskforce
• 1:00 - 2:00 PM – Supporting Family Members with Substance Use Disorder Breakout Sessions:
• 11:00 AM – Narcan Training
• 12:30 PM – Talking Circle with Phillip Garcia A Community Effort to Save Lives
Marcie Chavez, executive director of the Cibola Health Council, said “Sheriff Larry Diaz, [Grants Police] Chief Maxine Monte, and [Milan Police] Chief Carl Ustupski have been very involved in the event planning.”
Chavez thanked local law enforcement leadership for their help organizing this event. She said this is made possible through a coalition of local law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups, including:
• Cibola County Sheriff’s Office
• Grants Police Department • Milan Police Department • The Way, Truth & Life Ministries
• New Mexico Dream Center
• Molina Healthcare
• Cibola County Treatment Court
• Gd Psych Services LLC • Oak Tree Counseling and Wellness
• Opioid Remediation Collaborative of New Mexico
Joining the Fight Against Fentanyl
With fentanyl overdoses continuing to claim lives, organizers stress the importance of community involvement in tackling the crisis. The Cibola Health Council is encouraging all community members, healthcare professionals, educators, and individuals impacted by substance use disorder to attend the event.
“Together, we can make a difference in the fight against fentanyl and opioid addiction,” Gurule said.
Courtesy of NMHealth