Impact of COVID-19 on New Mexico Harm Reduction Services: Challenges and Recommendations

Abstract Evidence is emerging indicating persons with substance use disorders (SUD) are at particular risk of adverse health outcomes during the Sars-CoV2 pandemic crisis, especially compounded if those persons are underrepresented minorities. New Mexico has unique demographic characteristics being predominantly rural and minority populated. We attempted to survey harm reduction (HR) sites across the state to understand and document the effects the current health crisis has had on their operations. Sites reported a significant decrease (p=0.05) in clients served between the time periods of November 2019-January 2020 and March-May 2020, supply shortages, and anecdotal reports of increasing street drug prices. Future research should focus on rates of overdose during public health crises, its effects on medication assisted treatment (MAT) clinics, and in continued efforts to curtail rates of SUD overall.