[1] New Mexico had the second highest rate for violent crime, following Alaska.
[1] Since the 1990s, New Mexico has led the Western United States in drug overdose deaths, the vast majority a result of opioids.
In 2003, New Mexico led the country in drug overdose rate with more than twice the national average, and 4 New Mexico counties were among the top 25 in the United States for overdose rates.
[4][2] While deaths due to illicit drugs have remained steady during the past decade, deaths due to prescription drugs (particularly opioid pain relievers) have increased dramatically.
[5] Overdose death rates (per 100,000) Capital punishment is not applied in New Mexico.