ABQ Times

There is a pressing demand in Albuquerque for services catering to individuals facing substance use disorders and homelessness, with the city channeling resources into recovery housing to mitigate these challenges. One notable initiative, Gateway Recovery, aims to open in the coming month. This initiative will offer 46 pallet homes designed to shelter up to 50 individuals for periods extending to 24 months or until transitional long-term housing arrangements can be secured.

Funding for these efforts, notably from opioid settlements, amounts to $5 million earmarked for construction and operational activities. Still, ongoing financial support through these settlements is crucial for the sustenance of Gateway Recovery and similar programs citywide.

The broader context involves cities and counties across the United States receiving financial restitution from pharmaceutical companies linked to the opioid crisis. Albuquerque, along with the county, is slated to share a substantial $150 million from this settlement. Officials propose reserving the city's portion for phased utilization, explicitly targeting capital projects.

Mayor Tim Keller emphasized the urgency of expanding treatment options. "We need more treatment options and services now to help people struggling with addiction," Keller stated. "All across Albuquerque, we see the effects of the opioid crisis, and we must put this funding to work immediately to help uplift people out of homelessness and addiction."

Donald Hume, a recovery advocate, highlights the critical shortage of beds amid the high demand. "Our recovery programs are full, people are lining up waiting to get in," Hume notes, underscoring the importance of investing in both programs and people. "If you want to see people thrive in Albuquerque, we’ve got to put the things in place that are going to help them thrive."

Data from the 2023 Legislative Finance Committee Report disclosed that 1,029 New Mexicans succumbed to drug overdoses in 2021. Despite this, the state offers merely around 800 recovery beds. Gilbert Ramirez, Director of Health, Housing, and Homelessness, stresses the need for more supportive services to stem overdose fatalities. "Far too many people die from overdoses each year, and we know long-term recovery is possible through supportive services, including recovery housing. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough options in our City," he said. "Developing and sustaining life-saving programming is necessary to prevent more deaths."

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Learn more about the proposed uses of Opioid Settlement Funding.