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Curry County Health Council outlines food-security and opioid-action plans
Summary
The Curry County Health Council presented community health priorities to county commissioners, focusing on food security (targeting ages 19'26 and seniors 55+) and opioid-overdose prevention with naloxone distribution and training goals by May 2026.
Curry County Health Council coordinator Miss Richter told the Board of Commissioners that the council has identified two primary areas for its community health improvement plans: food security and nutrition, and opioid-use prevention, both prioritizing residents aged 19 to 26. "We were really surprised'I personally was really surprised on the area, the age range of 19 to 26," she said, noting younger adults in the county often lack basic cooking and nutrition skills.
The presentation said Curry County averaged about 5,900 meals per month from January through March 2025, based on Eastern New Mexico Food Bank data. As short-term actions the council plans two cooking or basic-nutrition classes by May 2026 for the target populations and an awareness/food-drive event to raise support for food-bank operations.
On opioid prevention, the council reported a drug-overdose deaths rate of about 27.8 per 100,000 (New Mexico IBIS data discussed in the presentation) and set short-term goals to increase public awareness of naloxone (Narcan) availability and to distribute and track naloxone doses across county partners. "By May 2026, Curry County will increase awareness of naloxone and its availability in Curry County," Richter said, adding the council will work with local partners and plan Narcan training events.
Commissioners praised the outreach plan and asked about training logistics and follow-up metrics. Richter said the council would track naloxone distribution numbers and monitor New Mexico IBIS indicators and that partners such as local substance-use programs will be involved in community training. She also encouraged residents to attend an upcoming community conversation event in June.
The Health Council presentation included other community activities (gun-lock distribution and the Move for Your Mood mental-health event). The council asked commissioners to help publicize CHC programs and to support partnerships that expand training and distribution of life-saving interventions.
