Bernalillo County approves emergency powers to fight fentanyl crisis

By Jesse Jones, The Paper, — Bernalillo County is moving to cut red tape so it can get emergency medical care to the streets faster, overhaul jail detox programs and crack down on fentanyl trafficking. Commissioners approved an emergency declaration Wednesday that grants emergency authority to the county manager and asks the state for additional resources to fight overdoses and addiction.

Bernalillo County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Oct. 14 declaring a civil emergency over the fentanyl crisis. Sponsored by Chair Adriann Barboa and Commissioner Barbara Baca, the resolution invokes emergency powers under county code and grants County Manager Cindy Chavez that authority, effective immediately. During the meeting, commissioners discussed how the powers would help Chavez coordinate county operations, deploy resources faster and work more efficiently with other levels of government. The powers remain in effect until commissioners modify or end them. The resolution also asks the state to declare an emergency and provide additional assistance. Read more in The Paper’s City Desk report on the county’s proposed fentanyl response .

Bernalillo County Commissioner Barbara Baca, a co-sponsor of the county’s fentanyl emergency declaration, speaks during a press conference on the county’s response to the crisis. (Photo by Jesse Jones) Credit: Jesse Jones

Barboa said the declaration could help the county move funding more quickly and improve coordination with state, city and federal partners. The county’s proposed response includes expanding street medicine and addiction treatment, tracking overdoses in real time and launching a sheriff’s operation targeting drug trafficking organizations. In a letter to commissioners, Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the New Mexico Department of Justice supports the declaration and is actively investigating allegations that fentanyl reached New Mexico communities through the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Commissioner Eric Olivas described the crisis’ toll on families, businesses and public spaces, including discarded drug paraphernalia in parks, arroyos and gutters. He also highlighted the strain on law enforcement, emergency responders, the CARE Campus and the Metropolitan Detention Center. The declaration gives the county a way to seek outside aid and move local money faster, but it does not guarantee new state or federal funding. Commissioner Barbara Baca said, “This is a serious issue that we are dealing with, and it takes all of us together to address this crisis.”

The county will send the resolution to state and federal leaders and ask Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to declare a state emergency and provide additional assistance. County officials also plan to expand street medicine outreach, track overdoses in real time and continue efforts to disrupt fentanyl trafficking.

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