Bernalillo County presents 'Keep New Mexicans Alive' campaign, pairs recovery stories with county partnerships

Bernalillo County officials and community members described the Keep New Mexicans Alive initiative during a county presentation, saying the effort brings together law enforcement, judges, health-care providers, government agencies, schools and community organizations to respond to a rising fentanyl crisis.

County presenters said the coalition aims to reduce fentanyl-related deaths through outreach, education, treatment promotion and public messaging. The speaker described the campaign as a coordinated effort that includes media production, website resources and event-based outreach.

The presentation named Deputy County Manager of General Services Lisa Sidio White and Commissioner Adrienne Barboa as leaders of the effort and listed a number of county staff and outside partners involved in communications and event work. The county’s communications team credited Cheyenne Gutierrez with scheduling and coordination, Amber Callahan with print design, Paul Evans, Chris Paul and Evan Marquez with television production, Melissa Smith with interviews, Kristen Fox with social media, and Tracy Dingman and web editor Terry Kelly with redesigning the county’s public-facing web pages for the campaign. County cultural affairs and marketing staff named in the presentation included Tammy Adolf, Bridal Lustig and Rudy Bangam.

Public-safety and detention partners were also acknowledged: Chief Greg Perez, Alec Batts and Christopher Rodriguez with Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue; Sheriff John Allen, Jamie Fuller and Elizabeth Vaccara with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office; and Candace Hopkins and Daniel Trujillo with the Metropolitan Detention Center. The presenters said a media advertising partner supports outreach and placements at events.

Speakers included people in recovery who described the personal toll of fentanyl and the role of recovery supports. One resident said, "Fentanyl, like, it killed something inside me. What really pushed me is after I lost Angel because he died." Another participant described the impact of recovery work: "I feel free. I feel like there's been a big weight lifted off of my shoulders," and added, "If you really want it, you can do it." The county presenter noted the campaign filmed interviews with seven people in recovery to create messaging under the "faces of recovery" series.

Presenters emphasized that the campaign uses a mix of media, special events and website resources so the public can find information and assistance. They described the effort as ongoing work by county staff and partner agencies rather than a single, discrete policy or voted action.

County presenters and recovery speakers framed the initiative as a harm-reduction and recovery-support effort aimed at reducing deaths and connecting people to services; specific funding sources, legal authorities or new policy measures were not specified during the presentation.