Las Cruces and Dona Ana County advisory group recommends evidence-based opioid programs, offers trust options

Las Cruces and Dona Ana County officials on Monday presented advisory council recommendations for investing approximately $24 million in opioid settlement funds and asked elected leaders for guidance to move to program design and procurement.

The advisory council recommended four initial strategies — expand medication-assisted treatment and transitions of care, broaden recovery support services and harm-reduction linkages, invest in universal prevention and anti-stigma work, and fund standardized data collection and evaluation — and asked staff to return with scopes of work, outcome measures and procurement options.

The recommendations follow an advisory process that used a needs assessment from New Mexico State University and technical assistance from Vital Strategies. Jamie Michael, director of Dona Ana County Health and Human Services, told the joint meeting the council prioritized interventions that are evidence-based and designed to “save lives.” Barbara Bencomo, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the city and county will continue coordinating next steps and that both governments must approve any allocations.

Advisory recommendations and why they matter

The council framed its work around Exhibit E of the settlement agreements, which lists nine allowable strategy areas for settlement spending; members narrowed that list to four…