ABQ Times

The City of Albuquerque is set to receive approximately $80 million from a $150 million opioid settlement fund aimed at addressing the opioid crisis. The administration is urging the City Council to quickly use these funds to expand successful programs and enhance treatment and services for those struggling with opioid use disorder.

Mayor Tim Keller emphasized the urgency of immediate action, stating: “We all know or have seen people struggling with addiction on our streets, and we can’t wait another day to get folks the treatment and support they need. We need this funding now to be able to get hundreds of people connected to recovery services as soon as possible; lives are literally on the line.”

There is a proposal from some City Councilors and County Commissioners to use the funds to construct new facilities, a process that would take years. However, the City has already invested in infrastructure through the Gateway Network, including the Medical Sobering Center and the Recovery Gateway micro-community. The administration insists on using the funds for operating these services rather than tying them up in new construction projects.

Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Samantha Sengel noted, “We know that we have to approach addiction from all angles, and we respect that the County has their own vision for how to use their portion of the funds. For the City of Albuquerque, our most urgent need is funding services in the facilities we built out to help people suffering from addiction.”

Jennifer Burke, Executive Director of Serenity Mesa, supports using the funds for immediate service provision, stating: "At Serenity Mesa, we see firsthand that recovery is possible, and with the right support, young people can build bright, fulfilling futures beyond addiction."

Chief Financial Officer Kevin Sourisseau added, “The City has taken critical steps to build out a system of support with the Gateway Network, and we need to put the opioid settlement funding to work to expand treatment options. As Gateway services continue to come online, now is the time to put the funding to work, not let millions go unused as thousands suffer on our streets.”

New Mexico reported an overdose rate that was the sixth highest in the country in 2021, with an estimated 1,029 deaths. In response, the City outlined seven focuses for investment, including expanding the Sobering Center, recovery housing options, naloxone access, community-based treatment, peer support roles, comprehensive education, and programs for disconnected youth.