County saw high death rate from alcohol

Quay County had the sixth-worst rate of alcohol-related deaths in New Mexico in 2016-2020, which was double the national average, Quay County Health Council members learned during their regular meeting Thursday.

Council member Rachelle Moon, who presented the data, said alcohol-related deaths included liver and kidney diseases attributed to alcohol abuse, plus accidents. The three worst counties in New Mexico for alcohol-related deaths were in the northwest part of the state.

She said one in five deaths by working-age adults in New Mexico was attributed to alcohol.

Moon said she did not have data on alcohol-related deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcoholic beverage sales saw a sharp increase in the U.S. from March to September 2020.

County data from 2019 showed boys consumed alcohol at a higher rate than girls. A survey also indicated 75% of county residents stated they believed teens could get access to alcohol at stores and restaurants.

Moon said more recent data about alcohol should be available later this year.

When council members were asked about the root causes of alcohol abuse in the county, members provided answers of “boredom,” “mental health” and “depression.”

Council coordinator Brenda Bishop said the lack of access to healthcare resources in the county was “a big factor” in alcohol-related health issues.

“Mental health is a big issue,” council member Dana Leonard added, “and I think alcohol is used to treat mental health conditions.”

Bishop also said alcohol’s wide social acceptance is a factor in its abuse. She cited one of the slides in Moon’s presentation that stated: “Alcohol is the only drug in the world that you have to justify why you’re not taking it.”

Leonard agreed.

“Alcohol is almost a requirement as a social lubricant,” he said. “It’s almost expected you’re going to drink regularly.”

On a related note, Bishop’s report from the council’s Health Equity Committee mentioned the lack of access to doctors and long-distance travel required for healthcare remain persistent problems in the county.

She also said when talking to younger people about substance-abuse issues, “mental health was brought up over and over and over,” and many residents can’t afford such care or are unaware of such services being available.

Bishop said alcohol is a big part of cowboy culture, especially when cowboys relax with beer after a long day of branding cattle.

She said alcohol also is a big part of military culture. The region contains many former and active-duty soldiers due to the proximity of Cannon Air Force Base.

Leonard also added sports and alcohol, especially while watching games on television, are “intrinsically linked.”