New Mexico reports increase in reversals of opioid overdoses

Published July 15, 2015 10:04am CDT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials report a significant increase in the number of reversals of overdoses from powerful painkillers.

The Department of Health announced Wednesday that more than 900 opioid overdose reversals were reported in 2014 due to the use of the drug naloxone.

The department says that's nearly a 29 percent increase from 2013.

The department has been working with other agencies to increase access and availability of naloxone in New Mexico as part of a multi-pronged approach to reduce overdose deaths in New Mexico.