NM must reduce deaths related to alcohol

I READ with a heavy heart that New Mexico once again has an unconscionable rate of alcohol-related deaths (“New Mexico rates highest in deaths tied to alcohol,” Journal Aug. 17). When talking about alcohol-related illnesses, injuries and deaths, we should always talk about what New Mexico can do to reduce them.

Specifically, based off of scientific and expert recommendations, the CDC recommends enforcing existing laws to curtail the sale of alcohol to underage individuals, building coalitions between schools, public health agencies, health care and others to reduce excessive alcohol use, increasing taxes on alcohol, limiting the hours when alcohol can be purchased, and limiting quantities of purchases in the same day.

These may seem extreme, but they are effective in other states and municipalities that are not seeing as many deaths as New Mexicans are experiencing. I implore us to adopt these approaches.

In addition to laws and regulations, there are things individuals can do to help reduce their risk from alcohol misuse. People who are concerned about their drinking should speak with their primary care clinician about getting medication to help curb cravings and decrease drinking. Medications such as naltrexone and acamprosate are safe, effective and widely available. And unlike Antabuse, these do not make people sick if they do drink. Many patients have told me that taking one of these medications has changed their lives.

Having an alcohol-use disorder is not a moral failing, but our state failing to enact legislative changes that can reduce illness, injury, and death is. Let’s take action now so we can do better.

EILEEN BARRETT Albuquerque