Public Awareness

       

NEVER USE ALONE
In 2023, Santa Fe County Community Services Department rolled out a public awareness campaign to mitigate harms and overdoses related to fentanyl. The first phase of the campaign (“One Pill Can Kill.”) featured public education regarding the lethal effects of even minuscule amounts of fentanyl.  Phase two utilized harm reduction messages targeted at people who uses substances and showcased billboards, bus wraps, and print materials with the message “Never Use Alone.” Phase three, to be deployed on May 1, 2024, continues to highlight the “Never Use Alone” message while addressing the continuous trend of polysubstance use. This phase also includes a link to Santa Fe County opioid and substance-specific resources and support. See link below.

The development of all public awareness campaign materials is overseen and vetted by a group coordinated by the County, that includes stakeholders representing the Santa Fe County Community Services and Fire Department, the New Mexico Department of Health, community members, community agencies, and law enforcement. The “Never Use Alone” campaign seeks to reduce the number of people killed by fentanyl because they are using it alone without access to a community member or family member who is armed with naloxone. “Never Use Alone” is such an important message, that there is a national effort to use this message for people who may be at risk for an overdose. Harm reduction is part of a more extensive approach that seeks to keep a person alive until they can find their way to health and social services, including treatment and recovery.

Podcast - Beyond County Lines, Fentanyl Crisis

Podcast- Beyong County Lines, Harm Reduction in Northern New Mexico

Resource List 

Santa Fe County DWI Prevention Program 
The Santa Fe County DWI Prevention Program’s public awareness efforts are focused on reducing impaired driving and promoting responsible decision-making through strategic, community-centered messaging. Campaigns are developed to reach a broad and diverse audience using a mix of traditional media, digital platforms, and direct community outreach to ensure visibility and impact. Messaging is delivered in both English and Spanish and is designed to be culturally relevant and easy to understand. Signature initiatives, such as the “Take A Ride On Us” safe ride initiative and seasonal enforcement awareness efforts, help increase public understanding of the risks and consequences of impaired driving while promoting practical alternatives.

A key component of these efforts includes a targeted summer campaign that partners with local bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and cannabis dispensaries to deliver prevention messaging directly at points of sale and consumption. This approach reinforces responsible choices at critical decision-making moments through signage, promotional materials, and coordinated messaging that encourage safe transportation options. The program also supports educational outreach and prevention activities that engage youth and families through school-based programming, community events, and partnerships with local organizations, helping to reinforce long-term behavior change. Guided by data-informed strategies and ongoing collaboration, these combined efforts strengthen community awareness, promote safer choices, and support the overall goal of reducing DWI incidents in Santa Fe County.

View Recent DWI Campaigns