Northern New Mexico
Drug Interdiction Summit

• Overview
• Agenda
• Speakers
• Reports
• Sponsors
• Register

Event Overview

The trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs are a great burden on New Mexico citizens, local government, law enforcement, public health systems, social service agencies, and education institutions. These burdens are manifested and measured in many ways, however, the most striking evidence of the impact of drug trafficking and abuse in Northern New Mexico is the disproportionately high number of drug-related deaths (e.g., overdoses, homicides, accidents, or other fatal incidents) that occur each year in our communities.

Like most jurisdictions coping with the crises of widespread addiction, the northern region of New Mexico is also experiencing an increase in drug trafficking, theft, and other crimes that come with increased demand for illegal drugs. Police officers believe that the high rates of crime, domestic abuse, and assault and battery, are directly attributable to the widespread demand for and abuse of drugs such as morphine, heroin, cocaine, methadone, and oxycodone.

For these reasons, the City of Espanola hosted a one-day summit on February 25, 2010, to find ways to stem the flow of illicit drugs in the region and to better coordinate interdiction, intelligence, investigation, and prosecution efforts. Whether you live in a rural community or an urban center, this issue affects all of us. Participants came from around the state and worked together to develop recommendations that will impact the quality of life for all New Mexicans.

The process was organized by the nonpartisan organization, New Mexico First, using its unique consensus-building approach.  The summit began with a welcome by Mayor Joe Maestas, followed by Gregory Fouratt, United States Attorney, District of New Mexico, who helped set the context for the issue.  During lunch, Gary King, New Mexico Attorney General shared insights regarding the challenges of the issue. But the bulk of the summit was comprised of small group discussions among people interested in the topic and willing to work together to resolve the issue. The primary goal was to develop consensus-based recommendations. As a result of the summit, nine concrete recommendations were compiled.

Prior to the summit, participants received a background report that provided valuable information on the progress made and the challenges ahead.  The report served as the basis for the discussions held during the summit.

The background report and summit final report can be found on the tab labeled, "Reports."