New Mexico's generations-long struggle with drug addiction sadly continues into the current one, with a new study reporting that not only does the state have the highest rate of drug abuse in the nation but that the state's teenagers rank first in the nation for the percentage of drug users.

The WalletHub report is devastating for the human tragedy it represents and also because it comes against a backdrop of unimaginable wealth for state government created by the ongoing oil boom. 

It gets worse.

The study confirms what the state knows too well. Drug treatment has failed to keep up with the rampant addiction and ranks New Mexico second in the nation for the number of "adults with unmet drug treatment needs." 

From the study:

New Mexico has the biggest drug problem in the U.S., especially when it comes to teenagers. The state has the highest percentage of teens using illicit drugs and the highest share of teenagers who report having tried marijuana before age 13. New Mexico has the third-highest share of adults who use illicit drugs, as well. New Mexico also lags behind other states when it comes to putting policies in place to discourage drug use or help people overcome it. For example, the state does not have employee drug testing laws, and it has the second-highest share of adults with drug problems who didn’t get treatment. It also has the fifth-highest share of children who lived with anyone who had a problem with alcohol or drugs.

The legalization of marijuana here, as we and others futilely warned, has been an epic failure in a state with a fragile population so prone to drug abuse.

The Governor and Legislature finally responded more robustly to the behavioral health crisis this past session, passing a system reboot in hopes of stemming the wave of addiction trapping so many in desperation.

The WalletHub study is a stark reminder to policymakers that treatment for teens demands special attention. 

As for those seeking reasons for the surge in juvenile crime here, the study obviously offers some. 

New Mexico needs to get addicted to drug treatment, education and prevention and stop idly watching so many of its youth sink out of sight. But you already know that.

 FRED'S BANCO

Allen Sanchez, Monahan & Sen. Campos

Former US Senator and revered New Mexican Fred Harris who died last November at 94 is being honored by his friends in a special way.

A memorial--The Fred Harris Memorial Banco--in honor of the '76 presidential candidate, productive Oklahoma lawmaker and UNM poly sci professor--is now situated at his beloved Barelas Coffee House in ABQ's South Valley. He regularly met there with his buddies to dissect the news of the day as have so many other notable personalities of La Politica. 

Those friends are responsible for the charming Spanish Colonial style bench crafted in northern New Mexico in Fred's honor and now in the restaurant's lobby. 

The name plate reads: "Senador, Profesor, y Amigo del pueblo" (Friend of the People) with a commemorative plaque of Harris above.

With your blogger at the banco and on the left is CHI St. Joseph's President Allen Sanchez. On the right is longtime state Senator Pete Campos. 

The photo followed a tasty lunch where we dished up lots of red and the latest mitote including the enduring legacy of Fred Harris. 

"It's a fine tribute indeed." Remarked Sen. Campos. 

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.