Media Availability to Follow Consultation

ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Department of Justice Opioid Coordinator Mary Daly and U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson will consult with Tribal Leaders from Pueblos in northern New Mexico which have been deeply affected by the heroin and opioid epidemic.  The consultation, undertaken as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative, a partnership between the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will take place at 1:00 pm on June 25, 2018, at the offices of the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council (ENIPC) in Ohkay Owingeh, N.M. 

The consultation will provide tribal leaders and officials an opportunity to discuss the devastating impact heroin and opioids have had on tribal communities in northern New Mexico.  Ms. Daly and U.S. Attorney Anderson will discuss the Justice Department’s programs and initiatives for combatting the opioid crisis, particularly in Indian Country.

Tribal Leaders, Ms. Daly and U.S. Attorney Anderson will be available to meet with the media at 2:30 p.m. at the ENIPC offices in Ohkay Owingeh following the consultation.

WHO:            

Tribal Leaders, Ms. Daly and U.S. Attorney Anderson will be available to meet with the media at 2:30 pm following the consultation.

Participants in Consultation (in formation)

Mary Daly, U.S. Department of Justice Opioid Coordinator

U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson

Governor J. Michael Chavarria of Santa Clara Pueblo, Chairman of ENIPC

Governor Phillip A. Perez of Nambe Pueblo

Governor Joseph Talachy of Pojoaque Pueblo

Governor Perry Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo

WHAT:         

Media Availability following DOJ Consultation with Tribal Leaders

WHEN:         

Monday, June 25, 2018 at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE:      

ENIPC Offices

327 Eagle Drive

Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, NM

OPEN PRESS

NOTE:  Media representatives must present government-issued photo I.D. (i.e., driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials.  Media representatives may begin to arrive at 8:00 a.m.  RSVPs and inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to USAO Media Coordinator Alyssa Ferda, contractor, at (office) 505-224-1480, (cell) 505-366-1463, or alyssa.ferda@usdoj.gov.

The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico.  Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities.  Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid related deaths in New Mexico.   The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components:  (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning.