>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, AN UNTREATED CRISIS TAKING LIVES.

ALCOHOL IS KILLING MORE PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY AND THE PROBLEM GOES FAR BEYOND DWI.

>> WE ARE KIND OF MISSING THE FOREST FOR THE TREES, BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALCOHOL RELATED DEATHS NOWADAYS, DWI'S ONLY ACCOUNT FOR ONE IN 10 OF THEM.

>> Gene: AND ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL VOTING TO STOP THE CREATION OF NEW HOMELESS CAMPS BUT WILL THE MAYOR GO ALONG WITH THAT PLAN?

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

ALBUQUERQUE STRUGGLES TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IS EVOLVING.

THIS WEEK CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO STOP THE CREATION OF ANY NEW ENCAMPMENTS AFTER THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED HE WAS CLEARING OUT CORONADO PARK.

SO WHAT NOW?

OUR LINE OPINION PANEL WILL DISCUSS IN A LITTLE OVER 10 MINUTES.

THEN, IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WE PREVIEW THE HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY AT ONE OF THE STATE'S MARQUIS EVENTS, THE 100TH SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET.

HERE FROM AN ARTIST SHOWING HIS WORK FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE MARKET AND SOME OF THE NEW ATTRACTIONS HAPPENING THIS YEAR.

BUT WE START WITH A TOPIC THAT OUR FRIENDS AT NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH PUT INTO THE SPOTLIGHT THIS MONTH, ALCOHOL ABUSE IN NEW MEXICO.

IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT ALREADY, THEY PUBLISHED AN EXTENSIVE SEVEN-PART SERIES CALLED BLIND DRUNK.

JOURNALIST TED ALCORN FOCUSES ON THE ISSUE ITSELF, DRUNK DRIVING, ALCOHOL'S IMPACT ON VIOLENT CRIME, MYTHS WHEN IT COMES TO WHO CARRIES THE BURDEN OF THIS PROBLEM, FAILINGS IN OUR STATE'S PUBLIC POLICY AND THE OVERARCHING ISSUE OF ADDICTION AND HOW IT IS TREATED.

THERE IS A LOT TO THIS, SO BROUGHT IN MR. ALCORN AND A PANEL OF EXPERTS TO TALK THROUGH THE VARIOUS FACTORS WHILE TRYING TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

HERE IS PART 1 OF THAT DISCUSSION.

HELLO EVERYONE.

WE ARE JOINED BY TED ALCORN TODAY.

HE IS A WRITER AND INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST WHO DID A GREAT DEAL OF WORK ON THIS PROJECT.

WE ALSO HAVE DR. KAMILLA VENNER.

SHE IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO.

DR. JENNIE WEI, AN INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN AT GALLUP INDIAN MEDICAL CENTER AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF JOANNE FERRARY, FOR DONA ANA COUNTY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US FOR THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.

WE WANT TO FOLLOW THIS CLOSELY HERE AT NEW MEXICO PBS.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

TED, WE START WITH YOU, OF COURSE.

YOU WROTE AN ARTICLE, WROTE EACH ARTICLE IN A SEVEN-PART SERIES, IN CASE FOLKS HAVEN'T SEEN THIS YET, ON ALCOHOL USE AND MISUSE HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

CAN YOU START BY EXPLAINING HOW THIS PROJECT CAME ABOUT AND WHY DID YOU THINK THIS ISSUE DESERVED THIS KIND OF COVERAGE?

>> Alcorn: ABOUT A YEAR AGO, NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH ASKED ME TO LOOK INTO A STORY ON ALCOHOL.

WE HAD SOME SUSPICIONS THAT THE MORTALITY WE WERE SEEING FOR COVID WAS CONNECTED TO ALCOHOL USE IN THE STATE, BUT IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR ME TO NOTICE SOME OF THE BASIC FACTORS THAT MAKE ALCOHOL STAND OUT.

NEW MEXICO HAS NOT ONLY THE HIGHEST RATE OF ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS IN THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE HEAD AND SHOULDER OVER EVERY OTHER STATE.

AND THE MORE I LEARNED, THE MORE I FELT LIKE THIS SORT OF CATASTROPHE THAT WAS HAPPENING IN PLAIN SIGHT WAS RESULT OF A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS WE HAVE ABOUT HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS OUR POPULATION AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

AS THE REPORTING WENT ON, I SPOKE TO MORE AND MORE PEOPLE AND COLLECTED DATA AND IT FELT LIKE IT NEEDED A LOT OF SPACE TO GROW.

IN THE END, AS YOU SAID, IT BECAME A SEVEN-PART YEARS.

I INTERVIEWED OVER 150 PEOPLE FOR IT AND I THINK WE CAME TO SOME CONCLUSIONS THAT SURPRISED EVEN ME.

>> Gene: ONE OF THOSE CONCLUSIONS, BY THE WAY, AND THE FIRST IN THE SERIES IS BRILLIANTLY TITLED AN EMERGENCY HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.

VERY APT TITLE THERE.

IT KIND OF SETS THE STAGE WITH THIS ISSUE WE ARE FACING IN NEW MEXICO.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS, THROUGH YOUR RESEARCH, YOU FOUND DRINKING KILLS NEW MEXICANS AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY.

THE CONCLUSION REACHED IS THAT WE FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS CRISIS, AND IN PART BECAUSE WE HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD IT.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIG MISUNDERSTANDING IN YOUR RESEARCH?

>> Alcorn: WELL, THERE HAS BEEN A FEW MISUNDERSTANDINGS.

I THINK THE FIRST ONE IS GROWING UP IN ALBUQUERQUE IN THE 1990'S WAS THAT I WAS BOTH AWARE OF THE TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS OF DWI IN OUR STATE BUT ALSO BUFFETED BY THE POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS THAT WE WERE STARTING TO PUT IN PLACE, BECAUSE AT THAT POINT OUR STATE REALLY MADE A COLLECTIVE AND A SYSTEMATIC AND SUSTAINED EFFORT TO REDUCE DWI.

AND I THINK THAT HAD NUMEROUS BENEFITS.

WE BROUGHT DOWN THE RATES OF CRASH FATALITIES ALLOT.

WE MISSED THE FOREST FOR THE TREES BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALCOHOL RELATED DEATHS NOWADAYS DWI'S ACCOUNT FOR ONLY ABOUT ONE IN 10 OF THEM.

SO 9 OUT OF 10 ALCOHOL DEATHS IN THE STATE ARE OCCURRING ELSEWHERE.

WE OVERLOOK THE ROLE THAT ALCOHOL PLAYS IN VIOLENCE.

AS IT TURNS OUT, WE HAVE, OF COURSE, WIDESPREAD SHARED CONCERNS ABOUT HAVING A SAFER STATE.

OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

WHAT THEY DON'T OFTEN SAY IS 40% OF PEOPLE WHO DIE BY HOMICIDE IN THE STATE DIE WITH ALCOHOL IN THEIR BLOOD.

AS DID 30% OF PEOPLE WHO DIED BY SUICIDE.

SO, ALCOHOL IS THE MOST COMMON INTOXICANT IN VIOLENCE IN NEW MEXICO.

THOSE ARE THE KIND OF BLIND SPOTS, I THINK, THAT HAVE KEPT US FROM ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE HEAD ON.

>> Gene: GOOD POINTS THERE.

BRING IN JENNIE WEI ON THIS ISSUE.

DOCTOR, HOW SHOULD WE APPROACH THIS CLEARLY LIFE-THREATENING, YOU KNOW, ISSUE AND WHAT DO WE NEED DO TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AS NEW MEXICANS ABOUT THE DEPTH OF THE PROBLEM.

>> Wei: I THINK THE MAIN IMPORTANT THING IS THAT, YOU KNOW, ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS, IT IS A MULTI-FACTORIAL CAUSE AND I THINK BECAUSE OF THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERING PREFERENCES AS TO HOW PEOPLE WANT TO BE TREATED.

DIFFERING MAIN UNDERLYING CAUSES RESULT IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENT OPTIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH -- I WORK AT THE GALLUP INDIAN MEDICAL CENTER WHO SERVES PRIMARILY NATIVE AMERICANS WHO SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, PTSD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH ALCOHOL DISORDERS ALSO HAVE CO-MORBID MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO TREAT ALL OF THOSE.

AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO TREAT ALL OF THOSE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE SAW A LOT IN ADDICTION MEDICINE IS EVERY DOOR IS THE RIGHT DOOR WHETHER IT IS THROUGH MY PRIMARY CARE CLINIC, WHETHER IT IS THROUGH WHEN THEY GET ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE INTENSIVE HOSPITAL CARE UNIT AFTER A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR BROKEN BONES OR WHETHER IT IS THROUGH THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IN EVERY POSSIBLE DOOR THAT PEOPLE ARE ENTERING THAT THERE ARE TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE THAT WE OFFER THEM IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, WHEN THEY ARE ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL HERE AND WHEN I SEE THEM IN THE PRIMARY CARE SETTING.

I THINK TOO OFTEN, AS PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS, WE FEEL WE TREAT THE COMPLICATIONS OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS LIKE LIVER DISEASE, LIKE THE BROKEN BONE THAT HAPPENED OR, YOU KNOW, THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT INJURIES BUT WE DON'T REALLY TREAT THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHICH, OF COURSE, IS THEIR ALCOHOL USE DISORDER.

AND GIVEN THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM, WE CANNOT JUST PUT THAT ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PSYCHIATRISTS.

WE, AS PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS, NEED TO BE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS AS WELL, GIVEN HOW SEVERELY UNDER RESOURCED OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE IN THE STATE.

SO, I VERY MUCH BELIEVE THAT AS A GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE PROVIDER, FAMILY MEDICINE PROVIDER, GENERAL SURGEON, ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS, ALL OF US NEED TO BE ABLE TO TREAT ALCOHOL USE DISORDER AND NOT JUST RELY ON THE NONEXISTENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR MANY, MANY MONTHS.

>> Alcorn: IF I MAY, I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT IN CONTEXT, TOO, BECAUSE THE STAGES LOOK AT THE SCALE OF UNTREATED SUBSTANCE USE IN THE STATE AND WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE STATE'S STRUGGLE WITH OPIATES, FENTANYL, METHAMPHETAMINES, BUT ALCOHOL IS THE BIGGEST UNTREATED SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM IN NEW MEXICO.

THERE ARE 73,000 WHO ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE AN ALCOHOL DISORDER WHO AREN'T GETTING TREATED.

AND THAT IS MORE THAN PEOPLE WITH DISORDERS FOR ALL OTHER SUBSTANCES COMBINED.

IT SHOWS THERE IS A BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CARE THAT DR. WEI HAS MENTIONED.

>> Gene: I AM GLAD YOU GOT THAT IN.

THAT IS INTERESTING.

INTERESTINGLY WHEN I READ THE SERIES, IT STRUCK ME HOW SCREENING BY DOCS COULD BE SO IMPACTFUL HERE.

WHY IS THIS NOT REALLY KIND OF TAKING ROOT JUST A LITTLE WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE VIGOR INSIDE MEDICAL CIRCLES?

I AM CURIOUS YOUR OPINION ON THAT.

>> Venner: WELL, I AM NOT A MEDICAL DOCTOR.

I AM A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS DOCTORS HAVE A LOT TO DO IN THEIR 12 MINUTES OR 15 MINUTES THEY HAVE WITH PATIENTS.

SO, IT CAN BE AN ISSUE OF TIME.

THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE OF TRAINING.

NOT A LOT OF TRAINING IN MEDICAL SCHOOL, IN RESIDENCIES, FOCUS ON ADDICTION.

FOR AS MUCH AS IT SHOWS UP IN CLINICS, THEY DON'T GET THAT MUCH TRAINING SO I THINK THERE CAN BE A SELF EFFICACY PIECE WHERE THEY ARE NOT ENTIRELY SURE WHAT TO DO IF A PATIENT DOES SCREEN POSITIVE.

IN A SLIGHT BRIEF INTERVENTION IN A COMPASSIONATE WAY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT ARE THEY THINKING, HERE IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

AND HAVING A NICE CONVERSATION AND OPEN DOOR, LIKE JENNIE WEI SAYS, EVERY DOOR IS RIGHT.

SO, I THINK THERE IS A LOT MORE WE CAN DO FOR TRAINING MEDICAL STUDENTS AND HELPING DOCTORS FEEL MORE SELF EFFICACY LIKE DR. WEI FEELS, SO I THINK THERE IS A LOT WE CAN DO TO HELP THAT SITUATION.

>> Gene: REPRESENTATIVE -- >> Ferrary: MAY I COMMENT ON THAT?

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT BACK IN THE 90'S WHEN WE PASSED THE MAJOR LEGISLATION TO COMBAT DWI, WE DID CONSIDER THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF IT TOO.

BUT DIDN'T REALLY REACH AS FAR AS WE WANTED TO.

BUT, SOMETHING THAT CAME OUT FROM THEN WAS TO SOMEHOW INCENTIVIZE DOCTORS BY EVERY TIME THAT THEY DO THE SCREENING AND MAKE IT SO THAT WE CAN INCENTIVIZE THEM AND GO AHEAD AND DO THAT AND HELP THEIR PATIENTS.

>> Gene: INTERESTING.

REPRESENTATIVE, LET'S STAY WITH YOU ON THIS.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAD THE AWFUL NEWS WITH THE PARADE IN GALLUP WITH THE INJURIES SUFFERED BY SOMEBODY WHO APPEARED TO BE IMPAIRED BEHIND THE WHEEL AND AN AWFUL SITUATION WHEN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE IT TOOK OFF.

DOES IT MAKE IT HARDER WHEN WE HAVE SITUATIONS LIKE THAT OR DOES IT ACTUALLY HELP MOVE THINGS ALONG IN A CERTAIN WAY?

HOW DO YOU SEE THAT AS AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE?

>> Ferrary: I KNOW THAT TED HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS SERIES FOR A LONG TIME, PROBABLY THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, AT LEAST.

AND LIKE IN THE 90'S WHEN WE WERE STARTING TO LOOK AT THE OVERALL PACKAGE OF DWI CHANGES THAT WE NEEDED, THE CRAVEN CRASH TRAGEDY HAPPENED AND JUST AS WE WERE GETTING READY TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE, NADINE MILFORD AND HER HUSBAND BOB BECAME ADVOCATES FOR THE CHANGE THAT WE NEEDED.

SO, I HOPE IT BRINGS THE ATTENTION THAT WE NEED TO MOTIVATE WHAT WE SHOULD START, LIKE THE GOVERNOR IMMEDIATELY SETTING UP A TASKFORCE WITH LEGISLATORS AND ALL OF THE EXPERTS SUCH AS DR. WEI AND VENNER AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE USE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES, AGAIN, TO REVITALIZE NOT JUST DWI, THE ENFORCEMENT, AND HELPING THE VICTIMS AND PREVENTING THE CONSEQUENCES, BUT OVERALL FOR ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS.

AND THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE I THINK AS TED POINTED OUT THAT AVERAGE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ARE USUALLY RELATED TO SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR CHILD NEGLECT AND ABUSE.

ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS SEEM TO COALESCE AROUND THE ALCOHOL ABUSE.

>> DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC THERE WAS A LOT OF REFLECTION GOING ON AND IT WAS KIND OF A STAGNANT TIME FOR EVERYBODY AND ARTIST AND A LOT OF ARTISTS LOST OUT.

SO THE HUNDRED COMING AROUND AFTER THAT IS A HUGE REDEMPTION FOR A LOT OF ARTISTS AND IT IS RELIEF.

FOR ME, THAT IS EXCITING TO SEE ARTISTS COME TOGETHER, BRINGING THEIR BEST WORK, YOU KNOW, MY LIFETIME, OUR LIFETIME, WE'LL NEVER SEE ANOTHER HUNDRED SO IT IS AN IMPORTANT EVENT, PRETTY EXCITING.

>> Gene: THANK YOU TO MR. ALCORN AND THE REST OF OUR GUESTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ON ALCOHOL.

I'LL BE BACK WITH THAT GROUP ONCE MORE TO ROUND OUT THAT CONVERSATION.

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOUR WE'LL GET INTO HOW ALCOHOL IS TAXED IN OUR STATE.

AND STATS THAT TURN SOME COMMON STEREOTYPES ON THEIR HEAD.

IT IS TIME FOR OUR OTHER ESTEEMED PANEL, THE LINE.

JOINING US THIS WEEK IS ATTORNEY SOPHIE MARTIN, FORMER STATE SENATOR DIANE SNYDER AND KOB RADIO HOST TJ TROUT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> STARTING WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CITY'S PLAN TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK VOTED TO STOP THE CREATION OF ANY NEW HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.

THAT IS BEFORE THE FIRST AND ONLY CAMP WAS APPROVED AS A LOT ON MENAUL NEAR I-25, AS MOST MIGHT KNOW.

IS EVERYONE WITH THE CITY ON THE SAME PAGE?

TJ TROUT, ARE THEY PULLING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, MEANING, YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR ORDERED THE CLOSING OF CORONADO PARK WITHOUT A BACKUP PLAN FOR ALL THE FOLKS TO GO TO.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

SUDDENLY EVERYTHING IS IN DISARRAY.

>> Trout: LET ME BACK THE TRUCK UP.

>> Gene: PLEASE.

>> Trout: YOU SAID TO ME EARLIER WEEK, YOU SAID TO ME WHEN YOU SAID TO ME ABOUT JOINING YOU ON THE SHOW, YOU SAID, MAN, WE ARE GOING TALK ABOUT THE HOMELESS THING, WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT OUTDOOR SPACES, THIS SHOULD BE RIGHT UP YOUR WHEELHOUSE, TJ.

I AM GOING, WHAT?

I WOULD MAKE THE WORST POLITICIAN EVER.

AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY.

BECAUSE, I WOULD BE EXPECTED TO HAVE A PLAN AND TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND MY PLAN AND THEN BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT MY PLAN.

I DON'T HAVE A PLAN.

NOBODY HAS A PLAN.

I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY.

NOBODY ANYWHERE HAS A PLAN.

IF THERE WAS A PLAN, EVERY CITY IN AMERICA WOULD BE JUMPING UP ON IT AND FIXING THE HOMELESS PROBLEM.

SAFE OPEN SPACES, GENE, I DON'T KNOW.

WHO KNOWS, SERIOUSLY.

THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO, SERIOUSLY, AND MAYBE THEY TRIED DOING THIS, THEY NEED TO REALLY DO IT.

REMEMBER THE MAYOR, WHATEVER, I WOULD GO ON TV, GO TO THE MEDIA AND SAY, LOOK, THIS IS THE MAYOR SPEAKING, LOOK, WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD PLAN, NOBODY HAS A GOOD PLAN.

WE NEED A GOOD PLAN, WE NEED SOME GOOD IDEAS.

WE HAVE GOT THE GATEWAY CENTER OPENING, BUT WE NEED SOME IDEAS HOW TO SOLVE THIS.

PLEASE, HELP US, WRITE, EMAIL, GO TO COUNCIL MEETINGS, WE ARE BEGGING YOU, HELP US.

WE NEED YOUR HELP.

AND THEN MAYBE I WOULD GO TO UNM, GO TO NMSU, ANY NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND GIVE THEIR SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT THE BIG FAT GRANT AND HAVE THEM STUDY THE.

HAVE THEY DONE THIS ALREADY?

I DON'T KNOW.

SAFE OUTDOOR SPACES, GENE, MAYBE, MAYBE NOT.

IF THIS IS AS IMPORTANT AS I THINK IT IS, AND IT IS, ASK A BUNCH OF SMART PEOPLE INCLUDING THE PUBLIC TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

I AM ALMOST DONE.

I READ ARTICLE ON LINE FROM KRQE AND I WILL GIVE THE CITY CREDIT FOR ONE THING.

THEY WERE INTERVIEWING CRISTINA PARAJON, GATEWAY ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE CITY AND THEY ACTUALLY HAD A GOOD IDEA, THEY ACTUALLY ASKED HOMELESS PEOPLE WHAT THEY NEED, WHAT THEY WOULD NEED IN A GATEWAY CENTER.

WHAT A CONCEPT?

I MEAN, IT MAKES TOTAL SENSE, THESE PEOPLE ARE ON THE STREET, THEY KNOW BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE WHAT WOULD HELP AND WHAT WOULDN'T.

SO, AT LEAST THE CITY DID THAT.

>> Gene: JUST A REMINDER FOR VIEWERS IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW, IN JUNE, NOT THAT LONG AGO, THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO CHANGE THE CITY ZONING CODE AND ALLOW FOR THESE DESIGNATED HOMELESS CAMPS BUT MONDAY, SOPHIE, MONDAY NIGHT THIS WEEK, COUNCIL, OF COURSE, FLIPPED ITS DECISION AND VOTED TO PASS A MORATORIUM.

IT IS A VERY SORT OF A ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

IS A MORATORIUM GOING TOO FAR HERE?

I MEAN -- >> Sophie: I THINK IT IS WORTH NOTING SORT OF A SIDE NOTE THIS IS THE SAME CITY COUNCIL, IT IS NOT LIKE WE HAD AN ELECTION IN THE IN-BETWEEN TIME AND HAVE A TOTALLY NEW SLATE OF FOLKS.

IT IS THE SAME CITY COUNCIL AND COUNCIL WOMAN BASSAN PUT THAT BILL FORWARD FOR THE MORATORIUM WHERE SHE ADVOCATED IN FAVOR OF THE CITY'S PLANS BEFORE.

I THINK IN SOME WAYS THIS PROBABLY GOES BACK A BIT TO WHAT TJ WAS SAYING, WHICH IS, THERE ARE NO GREAT SOLUTIONS HERE.

ALBUQUERQUE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR DECADES.

THE COUNTRY HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR DECADES AND I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SO LONG AND IT IS SO PERVASIVE AND UNENDING AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR, UNFORTUNATELY, AROUND THE ISSUE AS WELL.

MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY MAY NOT WISH TO BE CONFRONTED BY THE FACT THERE IS A HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM HERE IN THE CITY, AND, SO, IT DOES FEEL A BIT WHIPLASH'ISH TO HAVE IT TURN THIS QUICKLY.

AND I THINK WHAT MANY OF US ARE HOPING FOR IS THAT IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A MORATORIUM, THAT SERIOUS WORK IS DONE ON THE ISSUE DURING THAT PERIOD.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, PLANS HAVE BEEN LAID, PROMISES WERE MORE OR LESS MADE AND NOW THAT IS COLLAPSED BUT WE ARE NOT IN A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE OF THE MORATORIUM.

WE DON'T HAVE A LESS SERIOUS PROBLEM REGARDING HOMELESSNESS.

WE ARE JUST AS BAD IF NOT WORSE AT THIS POINT.

>> Gene: WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, GUYS, AND GOING TO SENATOR SNYDER HERE WITH THIS, MORATORIUM UNTIL NEXT AUGUST, MEANING AUGUST OF 2023.

IF THAT ISN'T THE ULTIMATE KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, DO YOU NEED A YEAR TO GET THIS GOING?

LET ME REMIND YOU THAT CAMP AT MENAUL NEAR I-25 WAS CREATED AS A REPLACEMENT OF SORTS FOR THAT CORONADO PARK CLOSURE, RIGHT?

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR A YEAR?

I MEAN, BEFORE WE GET A PLAN TOGETHER.

SOMETHING SEEMS OFF HERE.

I AM CURIOUS YOUR SENSE OF IT AS YOU WATCHED THIS.

>> Diane: I FEEL LIKE I AM BABBLE DOLL, LIKE THIS, LIKE THAT, LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW, IT IS LIKE, OKAY, WHAT ARE WE DOING TODAY?

AND I HAVEN'T DUG DOWN INTO IT, THE ISSUE, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL SAID, WE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FOREVER.

BUT THE LOGICAL PART OF ME GOES, OKAY, WE ARE DOING A MORATORIUM BUT WHY DID WE ALSO CANCEL OUT CORONADO PARK OR THE NEW PLACE RIGHT NOW WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE IT -- TO ME WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ACCURATE DATA.

I MEAN, WAS IT WORKING?

WAS IT NOT WORKING?

WAS IT BECAUSE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

WAS IT BECAUSE OF NOT HAVING THE RIGHT SERVICES?

I DON'T THINK WE EVEN KNOW WHETHER IT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL OR NOT.

MAYBE IT HAS BEEN IN OTHER CITIES BUT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH DATA TO TELL US THAT AND I KIND OF JUST GO, WHY WOULD YOU -- I CAN UNDERSTAND NO NEW.

IF YOU WANT TO STUDY AND MAKE SURE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO BE DOING, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT WHY WOULD YOU THROW ALL OF THESE PEOPLE OUT OF A PARK WITH NO PLACE TO GO?

>> Gene: LET ME ADD TO THAT SENATOR AS WELL.

GO TO TJ HERE.

THE REASON MS. BASSAN PROPOSED THIS AS A STOP GAP, THIS ALMOST YEAR-LONG MORATORIUM, IS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER BILL THAT WILL REMOVE SAFE OUTDOOR SPACES FROM THE ZONING CODE COMPLETELY.

IT THINKS WE HAVE GONE FROM ONE END OF THE DEAL ALL THE WAY TO THE OTHER.

IT WAS THIS GREAT IDEA IN JUNE AND NOW WE WANT TO PUT IT IN, YOU KNOW, IN WRITING THAT THIS CAN'T HAPPEN EVER AGAIN?

SOMETHING SEEMS TO HAVE GONE A LITTLE GOOFY HERE.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, TJ.

>> Trout: IT SEEMS TO ME THAT I THINK THE CITY AND SOME PEOPLE ON THE CITY COUNCIL ARE IN SERIOUS BURYING THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND IN DENIAL OVER THIS WHOLE THING.

IT GUESS BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER, PEOPLE ARE NOT ADMITTING HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE THIS REALLY IS.

AND, I THINK THEY ARE AFRAID OF HAVING TO SPEND REAL MONEY ON IT TO FIX IT.

I THINK THEY ARE AFRAID OF HAVING TO CONFRONT, OH, MY GOD, THE SOCIAL ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE CONFRONTED HERE.

AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE JUST I THINK PEOPLE ARE JUST THROWING THEIR HANDS UP AND, AGAIN, THEY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION.

>> Gene: SOPHIE, LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

WE HAVE HAD TWO CHURCHES STEP UP TO THE PLATE HERE AND OFFER TO USE THEIR PARKING LOTS AND FACILITIES FOR OVERNIGHT HOMELESS OR UNHOUSED FOLKS THAT SLEEP IN THEIR CARS IN ONE OF THEM, AND THE OTHER ONE TO SLEEP IN TENTS IN THEIR PARKING LOT.

IS THERE ANYTHING WRONG WITH CHURCHES EXTENDING A HAND TO THE HOMELESS OUT HERE.

>> Sophie: SOME OF THE CHURCHES WOULD ARGUE IT IS PART OF THEIR MISSION AND PART OF THEIR BELIEF SYSTEM.

HOWEVER, I WILL POINT OUT, I HAVE TO BE THE LAWYER FOR A MOMENT, RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS ARE NOT COMPLETELY FREE FROM REGULATION BY GOVERNMENT AS LONG AS THE REGULATION IS SORT OF FAITH NEUTRAL, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WAY TO PUT IT, SO, IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO PUT IN A PARK, IF A BUSINESS CAN'T PUT IT IN THEIR PARKING LOT, I WOULD EXPECT THAT, AS WELL, CHURCHES WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM DOING THE SAME UNLESS THERE IS A SPECIFIC CARVE OUT AND THEN YOU GET OTHER LEGAL ISSUES TOO.

THE UPSIDE IS I THINK WE ARE SEEING COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND GROUPS WHO ARE SAYING, WE DO WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION HERE.

WE DO THINK THAT WE CAN RESPONSIBLY AND EFFECTIVELY HELP AT LEAST A SMALL PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE SO IMPACTED.

AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THOSE GROUPS ALSO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> Gene: WRAP THIS UP HERE.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THOUGH, WHAT SEEMS TO ME, FROM JUNE TO AUGUST, IF YOU'RE SO HOT TO TROT ON SOMETHING YOU ARE WILLING TO VOTE FOR IT IN JUNE AND THEN BECAUSE MS. BASSAN MENTIONS HERE THE OVERWHELMING PUBLIC OUTCRY TO GO THE OTHER DIRECTION, IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO BE RUNNING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE WINDS OF THE PUBLIC, WHY ARE YOU IN ELECTED OFFICE?

I MEAN, THIS IS REALLY -- YOU CANNOT GOVERN LIKE THIS, BECAUSE EVERYONE RISES UP SUDDENLY AND YOU ABANDON EVERYTHING FOREVER AFTER IT WAS A GREAT IDEA IN JUNE.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP IN HERE.

>> Sophie: IT SUGGESTS ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS START A PHONE CALL OR LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN OR SAY NASTY THINGS ON TWITTER.

>> Gene: YOU HAVE A THOUGHT.

>> Diane: QUICK THING.

YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND IN THAT SORT OF TIME IF YOU GET THE RIGHT INFORMATION BUT THE OTHER AREA THAT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IS ALL OF OUR VETERANS, BOTH THE MALE AND FEMALE POPULATION, I DON'T HEAR ANYTHING COMING FROM THE UNITED STATES VETERANS DEPARTMENT OR MILITARY DEPARTMENTS.

WHY ARE WE NOT PROVIDING THEM SERVICES FROM A DIFFERENT POT OF MONEY?

FROM A DIFFERENT AREA.

BECAUSE, WE ALSO HAVE THE HIGHEST SUICIDE RATE OF MILITARY, AND PARTICULARLY WOMEN, IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

SO, WE COULD DIVIDE PEOPLE OUT A LITTLE BIT.

YOU KNOW.

AS TO WHO IS FUNDING IT, WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO LIVE, THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT MAYBE PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT.

>> Gene: THAT IS A GOOD POINT THERE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT ISSUE.

IT IS NOT EASY ONE AND WE'LL KEEP FOLLOWING IT IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD, FOR SURE.

THIS WEEKEND IN SANTA FE A HISTORIC EVENT IS RETURNING AFTER A HIATUS FOR COVID-19.

THE SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET IS CELEBRATING 100 YEARS THIS YEAR.

IT DRAWS FOLKS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, AS YOU MIGHT KNOW, TO THE SANTA FE PLAZA WHERE ARTISTS PRESENT THEIR LATEST WORKS.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS CORRESPONDENT ANTONIA GONZALES SAT DOWN WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION AND AN ARTIST TO TALK ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE CAN EXPECT WHEN THEY VISIT THIS YEAR?

>> Antonia: PATRICK AND KIM, WELCOME TO NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

>> Peone: THANK YOU, GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> Collins: THANK.

YOU.

>> Antonia: IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET IS TURNING 100 YEARS OLD.

IT IS BRINGING EXCELLENCE IN ARTS AND ARTISTS AND SHARING WITH THE WORLD.

KIM WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

>> Peone: YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE THAT I WORK FOR A HUNDRED YEAR ORGANIZATION AND STARTUP.

AND, JUST REALLY HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO BUT TRULY IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO JUST BRING FORTH THIS ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 100 YEARS AND TO ME IT IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE AND I AM COMPLETELY JUST EXCITED FOR WHAT THIS EVENT IS GOING TO BRING US.

>> Antonia: IT IS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLE AND BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS.

PATRICK, WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

>> Collins: I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT VARIATIONS WHEN YOU ASK THAT QUESTION BUT FOR ME, I MEAN, AWARENESS.

PEOPLE HAVE THIS STEREOTYPICAL IDEA OF WHO WE ARE ANYWAY AND ART IS REALLY THE BACKBONE OF OUR CULTURE, ALWAYS HAS BEEN IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS, AND I THINK WHEN YOU GET THE FULL PERSPECTIVE OF THE ARTIST AND ART THAT THEY ARE PRODUCING, YOU GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHO WE ARE.

I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> Antonia: KIM, REFLECTING ON PAST YEARS AND LOOKING AT PAST EVENTS, WHAT STANDS OUT IN YOUR MIND THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?

>> Peone: I CAN ALWAYS REFLECT BACK TO THE 60'S AND 70'S WHEN MY PARENTS WERE PARTICIPATING IN MARKET AND HOW SMALL THE FOOTPRINT WAS AND INTIMATE IT WAS AND, YOU KNOW, THAT IS A VAST DIFFERENCE FROM THIS EVENT THAT WE PUT ON NOW.

IT IS OVER 650 BOOTHS AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND IT REALLY IS A BIG EVENT.

AND, SO, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO MEET EVERYBODY AND TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SAY I TOUCHED YOU, BUT I THINK THAT TO ME IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM IN AWE OF IS HOW BIG INDIAN MARKET IS.

AND NOT ONLY OUR MARKET BUT THEN THERE IS OTHER MARKETS AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING EVENTS.

SO WHEN YOU COME TO SANTA FE FOR OUR INDIAN MARKET, YOU REALLY GET A LOT OF EXPERIENCES WHEREVER YOU GO.

>> Antonia: HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT FOR ARTISTS?

WE KNOW THAT COVID HIT A LOT OF PEOPLE HARD, ESPECIALLY ARTISTS WHO RELY ON TOURISM FOR THEIR INCOME, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK.

SO, WHY ARE THESE KIND OF MARKETS, ESPECIALLY INDIAN MARKET, SO IMPORTANT FOR ARTISTS?

>> Collins: FOR ME, YOU KNOW A LOT OF ARTISTS, THEY COME FROM NOT JUST -- THEY ARE FROM CANADA, PROBABLY SOME IN MEXICO, ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, AND YOU GET A CHANCE TO FEED OFF EACH OTHER.

AND THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC THERE WAS A LOT OF REFLECTION GOING ON AND IT WAS KIND OF A STAGNANT TIME FOR EVERYBODY.

A LOT OF THE ARTISTS AND A LOT OF ARTISTS LOST OUT.

SO THE 100TH COMING AROUND AFTER THAT IS A HUGE REDEMPTION FOR A LOT OF THE ARTISTS AND IT IS A RELIEF, SO, FOR ME, THAT IS EXCITING TO SEE ARTISTS COMING TOGETHER TO BRING THEIR BEST WORK.

MY LIFETIME, OUR LIFETIME, WE'LL NEVER SEE ANOTHER 100 SO IT IS AN IMPORTANT EVENT, IT IS EXCITING.

>> Antonia: LOOKING AT ART IN THE SOUTHWEST AND HOW THE INDIAN MARKET HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS, THE SOUTHWEST, DEFINITELY ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE ARE KNOWN FOR THE POTTERY, FOR THE JEWELRY BUT IT IS MUCH MORE.

THE MARKET IS MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

>> Peone: JUST LOOKING AT WHAT SWAIA IS DOING IN REFERENCE TO INDIAN ART, IT REALLY HAS BEEN ONE THAT I FEEL THE ARTISTS COME TO THAT WITH LIVING CULTURE.

AND REALLY SHARE WHO THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY COME FROM AND HOW THE ART EXPRESSES THAT.

ALSO, I THINK THAT THE ART THAT WE ARE SEEING REALLY REFLECTS ON THE TIME THAT WE ARE AT AND WE ARE KNOWN TO RECORD HISTORY THROUGH ART AND SO YOU CAN DEFINITELY SEE THAT OCCURRING.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE COMPETITION AND PEOPLE JUST REALLY EXCELLING AT THEIR BEST AND COMPETING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER IN A HEALTHY WAY.

SO I THINK THERE IS LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THAT TO SEE THAT AND EXPERIENCE IT FROM A CULTURE PERSPECTIVE, BUT ALSO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MARQUIS EVENTS AND YOU LOOK AT LIKE THE FASHION SHOW, THAT HAS BEEN AN EVENT THAT HAS REALLY TAKEN OFF AND, YOU KNOW, THIS YEAR WE HAVE A FASHION SHOW DURING OR GALA AND WE HAVE THE MARQUIS EVENT ON SUNDAY.

I FEEL THAT WE ARE ACCOMMODATING THE DEMAND FOR THAT AND THE INTEREST IN THAT AND, AGAIN, I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS EVOLVING VERY QUICKLY AS WELL.

I THINK WE ARE HAVING OUR 11TH YEAR AS FAR AS THE FASHION SHOW IS CONCERNED.

>> Antonia: PATRICK AS AN ARTIST THAT CAN TALK ABOUT ART REFLECTING, YOU KNOW, TIMES TODAY.

SOME OF YOUR ART WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR DEB HAALAND AND, ALSO, FEATURING MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, HOW ARE THOSE PIECES REFLECTING OF TODAY'S SOCIETY.

>> Collins: THE DEB HAALAND PIECE, THAT WAS REALLY PROJECTED ON HEALING, THE PERSPECTIVE OF HEALING.

IT WAS A SERIES THAT I DID NOT JUST OF DEB HAALAND.

THAT WAS KIND OF THE GRAND PUBAH PIECE OF THE BODIES OF WORK THAT I PRODUCED DURING THAT TIME AND I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE A SHOW THAT WAS -- ONE OF THE PUEBLOS HERE HAD A SHOW FOR ME AND WE HAD THE GROUP ULALI COME IN AND PERFORM AND THEY WERE A BIG ACT AND I GOT A CHANCE TO MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAD FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE IN THE REALM OF MMIW AND TELL THEIR STORY HOW THEY OVERCAME, AND THEIR HEALING AND SHARE STORIES WITH OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL, AND I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> Antonia: KIM, LOOKING FORWARD PAST THE NEXT 100 YEARS, WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET?

>> Peone: FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS, YOU KNOW, I REALLY FEEL THAT COVID LENT ITSELF TO THIS ORGANIZATION IN A VERY PROFOUND WAY.

WE WERE ABLE TO REALLY LOOK AT DIGITAL AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR OUR ORGANIZATION AND SO WE ARE LAUNCHING THIS MONTH INDIGENOUS COLLECTIONS WHICH IS AN E-COMMERCE PLATFORM, SO OUR FOOTPRINT IS ACTUALLY THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.

SO IT WILL BE OFFERED INCLUSIVELY TO ALL FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED NATIVES IN THE NORTHERN CONTINENT HERE.

AND SO I FEEL THAT THAT IS ONE WAY THAT WE CAN BE INCLUSIVE AS OPPOSED TO HAVING AN EXCLUSIVE MARKET.

SO TO ME, THAT IS THE FUTURE OF THIS ORGANIZATION IS REALLY FINDING WAYS TO BE CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE IN THOSE EFFORTS.

>> Gene: THANK YOU, ANTONIA, FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

THE 100TH ANNUAL SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET ON THE PLAZA STARTS AT 8:00 AM SATURDAY MORNING.

LET'S WELCOME IN OUR LINE OPINION PANEL ONCE MORE, THIS TIME TO TALK ABOUT A BIG RALLY FOR REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR IN CARLSBAD.

MARK RONCHETTI AND CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE YVETTE HERRELL WERE JOINED BY FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS.

WE'LL GET INTO SOME OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT MEDIA ACCESS YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD ABOUT IN A MOMENT, BUT SENATOR, I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE NATIONAL OPTICS HERE FIRST.

GOVERNOR DeSANTIS HAS BEEN A RISING FIGURE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, MEANING THE NATIONAL GOP CLEARLY SEES AN OPPORTUNITY HERE.

I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT YOUR REACTION IS WHEN YOU SEE SUCH A BIG PLAYER IN NEW MEXICO IN AUGUST?

WAS THIS FOR MR. RONCHETTI?

WAS THIS FOR MR. DeSANTIS?

WHO WAS THIS RALLY REALLY FOR HERE, WHEN YOU REALLY KIND OF PEEL IT BACK A LITTLE BIT?

>> Diane: WELL, I THINK IT WAS DEFINITELY FOR BOTH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS, BUT I ALSO THINK IT WAS A REAL PLUS FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF NEW MEXICO AND ALL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES, BECAUSE IT DOES CLEARLY SHOW AN INTEREST.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE A BIG NAME LIKE GOVERNOR DeSANTIS COMING IN, THEN THE MONEY WILL FOLLOW.

NOT NECESSARILY FROM HIM, BUT PEOPLE SAY, OKAY, WELL, IF HE -- PEOPLE THAT ADMIRE HIM, IF HE THINKS THIS IS A GOOD CANDIDATE, A GOOD THING, THEN YES.

AND I KNOW THAT -- WELL, I'M POSITIVE THAT MARK HAS FUNDING REQUESTS GOING OUT TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, BECAUSE I'M GETTING THEM FROM EVERYBODY, FROM CANDIDATES, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND I'M JUST GOING, BUT HOW DID YOU -- IT'S BECAUSE I GAVE, AND THROUGH THE CONNECTIONS, ONCE YOUR NAME IS ON THE LIST, YOU'RE ON IT FOREVER.

SO I KNOW THAT IT WILL INCREASE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES NOT ONLY FOR MARK, BUT ALSO FOR YVETTE.

AND YVETTE HAS A TIGHT RACE, AS WELL.

SO I THINK, YEAH, I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY GOOD STRATEGIC MOVE.

I THINK THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY IS VERY CLEAR AND FOCUSED.

THEY THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

RONCHETTI IS A STRONG CANDIDATE.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT OF HOW CLOSE -- FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS WAS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIM AND BEN RAY LUJAN IN THE U.S. SENATE RACE.

THAT IS INCREDIBLY CLOSE FOR A FIRST-TIME CANDIDATE.

SO I THINK -- AND I HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED WITH SOME OF HIS ADVERTISING AND MARKETING.

SO I THINK IT'S ALL, TO ANSWER YOUR ORIGINAL QUESTION, IT'S ALL FITTING TOGETHER SO EVERYBODY CAN BENEFIT FROM IT.

I ALSO THINK -- >> Gene: HANG ON A QUICK SEC, SENATOR, WE'RE JUST A LITTLE SHORT ON THIS SUBJECT FOR TIME.

SOPHIE, GOVERNOR DeSANTIS SPOKE FOR 40 MINUTES BASICALLY TALKING ABOUT HOW GREAT HE DID IN FLORIDA DURING COVID-19 AND OTHER THINGS.

MARK RONCHETTI HAD TO BASICALLY STAND THERE AND LISTEN TO HIM TALK ABOUT FLORIDA.

I ASK AGAIN, WAS THIS REALLY SO MUCH FOR MR. RONCHETTI, OR WAS THIS -- >> Sophie: OH, NO, THIS IS FOR GOVERNOR DeSANTIS.

HE'S POSITIONING HIMSELF AS THE ALTERNATIVE TO TRUMP.

AND I'LL JUST NOTE -- I MEANT TO BRING THIS UP, AND WILL WHEN WE GET TO THE DISCUSSION OF HOW JOURNALISTS ARE BEING TREATED AT THESE EVENTS, BUT JUST NOW, JUST RECENTLY, DeSANTIS HAS SHOWN UP AT A RALLY FOR J.D.

VANCE.

HE'S BARNSTORMING THE COUNTRY AT THIS POINT.

AND I THINK TO YOUR POINT, THE TIMING FOR THE CANDIDATES, GIVEN THAT THE ELECTION IS OUT IN NOVEMBER, IS NOT AS COMPELLING RIGHT NOW AS THE TIMING FOR DeSANTIS, BECAUSE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP KEEPS SAYING, I'M GONNA ANNOUNCE, I'M GONNA ANNOUNCE, I'M GONNA ANNOUNCE.

AND IF THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ALTERNATIVE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, GOVERNOR DeSANTIS WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT HE IS FRONT AND CENTER.

AND TO BE FAIR, HE IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST LIKELY CANDIDATE IF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP DOESN'T RUN.

BUT, YEAH, THIS IS HIS RAINBOW TOUR.

THIS IS LESS ABOUT THE LOCAL CANDIDATES THAN ABOUT HIM.

>> Gene: ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET TO THAT MEDIA PROBLEM.

THERE WERE CONCERNS OVER MEDIA ACCESS, T.J., AT THE RALLY.

A REPORTER AND A PHOTOGRAPHER FROM SOURCE NEW MEXICO WERE DENIED ENTRY TO THE EVENT.

A REPORTER TRIED TO USE A GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET SECOND RATHER THAN A PRESS CREDENTIAL, BUT WAS REPORTEDLY ID'D BY PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.

THAT'S KIND OF CHILLING.

CREDENTIALED PRESS THAT WERE ALLOWED INSIDE THE EVENT WERE EVEN DISCOURAGED FROM SPEAKING WITH PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE, OR EVEN MOVING AROUND.

IS THIS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM MR. RONCHETTI IF HE PUNCHES THROUGH TO BE GOVERNOR?

IS THAT HOW HE'S GOING TO HANDLE THE PRESS?

>> Trout: I HOPE NOT.

I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE CASE.

I JUST WANT A LITTLE SHAMELESS PLUG HERE, GENE.

I'M GOING TO HAVE SHAUN GRISWOLD FROM THE SOURCE ON MY SHOW ON THE 24TH.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THAT.

AND THIS IS WHAT KILLS ME, IS THAT WHO IS TO JUDGE WHO IS LEGITIMATE AND WHO IS ILLEGITIMATE MEDIA.

SO WHY ARE YOU ALLOWED TO PARSE OUT WHO YOU THINK SHOULD BE ATTENDING THESE EVENTS.

>> Diane: WHY ARE YOU ALLOWED TO JUST SAY YOU'RE A MEDIA PERSON?

>> Trout: GIVE ME -- >> Diane: I CAN DO THAT.

>> Sophie: BUT THEY'RE TREATING ALL MEDIA THIS WAY.

THIS IS ONE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE SEE AT THE J.D.

VANCE EVENT RUN BY TURNING POINT, ALL MEDIA REGARDLESS ARE BEING TREATED AS IF, YOU KNOW, AS IF THEY DON'T HAVE LEGITIMACY.

>> Gene: THAT'S RIGHT.

LET ME READ YOU A QUOTE HERE FROM ENRIQUE KNELL, SOMEONE I USED TO WORK WITH IN CONGRESSWOMAN WILSON'S OFFICE ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.

HE IS A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RONCHETTI CAMPAIGN.

HE SAID SOURCE NEW MEXICO WAS DENIED A CREDENTIAL BECAUSE, QUOTE, 'THEY ARE A LEFT-WING ADVOCACY GROUP, NOT A LEGITIMATE NEWS ORGANIZATION.'

THAT IS SO WRONG, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START.

SENATOR, WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

WHY EVEN GO THERE AND DISPARAGE A LEGITIMATE NEWS ORGANIZATION?

>> Diane: WELL, WHO MAKES IT LEGITIMATE?

THAT'S MY -- I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE HERE IS, WHO DECIDES?

I MEAN, SOPHIE CAN'T PRACTICE LAW UNLESS SHE HAS A LAW DEGREE AND IS LICENSED.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO IS GOING TO BE LEGITIMATE?

>> Sophie: OH, MY GOSH, ARE YOU ARGUING FOR REGULATION?

I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR MORE.

>> Diane: I MIGHT BE.

OR JUST A DEFINITION.

AND I LOOKED IT UP IN WEBSTERS AND I'M GOING, WELL, THIS IS NO DEFINITION.

BUT HOW DO I KNOW?

AND ALSO, THEN THE OTHER THING IS, DO I NOT HAVE THE RIGHT, AS A CAMPAIGN, TO SEND OUT MY MEDIA NOTICES TO THE PEOPLE THAT I WANT TO COME?

DID HE GET A MEDIA NOTICE, OR DID HE JUST POP OVER AND SAY, I'M COMING IN?

I THINK THAT CANDIDATES -- WHY WOULD I WANT TO INVITE SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING TO TRASH ME?

I MEAN, REALLY.

>> Sophie: BECAUSE IT'S OF IMPORT TO THE VOTERS THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO.

WE RELY ON THE MEDIA TO BE THERE WHEN WE CAN'T AND TO PROVIDE THE STORY.

THE ORIGINAL MEDIA IN THIS COUNTRY, IF WE'RE GOING TO GO ORIGINALISM, AND WATCH ME DO IT RIGHT NOW, WERE PAMPHLETEERS.

THEY WERE EFFECTIVELY BLOGGERS.

AND SOURCE IS WELL-ESTABLISHED.

I THINK THEY JUST HIT THEIR YEAR ANNIVERSARY AS A MEDIA ORGANIZATION.

THEY'VE BROKEN STORIES ACROSS THE STATE.

THERE'S NO QUESTION IN MY MIND THAT THEY MEET THE DEFINITION OF MEDIA.

>> Gene: WE'VE GOT TO WRAP UP.

I WOULD CHALLENGE ENRIQUE KNELL ON AIR RIGHT NOW, IF HE'S WATCHING, I CHALLENGE YOU TO GO THROUGH SOURCE NEW MEXICO'S ROSTER OF STORIES AND FIND ME THIS LEFT-WING ADVOCACY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, OR YOU CAN GIVE ME SOME MONEY.

I'LL TAKE THAT CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.

THANKS FOR THAT DISCUSSION, GUYS.

WE'LL BE BACK HERE AT THE LINE WITH THE VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE FOR ONE FINAL DISCUSSION ON BOOMING OIL AND GAS REVENUES, THAT'S JUST IN OVER TEN MINUTES, BUT FIRST, BACK TO OUR CONVERSATION ON ALCOHOL HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

IF YOU'RE FROM OUT OF STATE, YOU KNOW WE HAVE SOME OF THE LOWEST ALCOHOL TAXES IN THE COUNTRY.

IN PART 2 OF OUR DISCUSSION, WE EXPLORE WHY THAT IS AND HOW A CHANGE COULD HELP MITIGATE THIS ISSUE.

>> Gene: TED, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS WOULD FIND VERY INTERESTING OUTSIDE OF POLITICAL CIRCLES, AND THAT IS TAXING ALCOHOL AND WHAT IT DOES TO LESSEN THE AMOUNT OF DRINKING GOING ON OUT THERE.

IF YOU WOULD IN GENERAL TERMS, SORT OF LAY OUT THE FRAMEWORK OF WHAT THAT IS AND WHAT YOU'VE DISCOVERED IN YOUR RESEARCH, AS WELL.

>> Alcorn: WELL, HISTORICALLY I THINK THE PUBLIC AND LAWMAKERS HAVE OFTEN TENDED TO THINK OF ALCOHOL TAX AS A REVENUE RAISER.

IN OUR STATE AND IN MANY OTHER STATES, WE IMPOSE A VERY SMALL EXCISE TAX ON ALCOHOL, AND WHEN YOU BREAK IT DOWN TO THE AMOUNT PER STANDARD DRINK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A FEW PENNIES.

BUT THOSE PENNIES ADD UP, BECAUSE WE DRINK A LOT AND IT RAISES ABOUT $50 MILLION A YEAR FOR THE STATE.

BUT WHAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE OVERLOOKED IS THE FACT THAT THE TAXES REALLY ARE ALSO A TOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY, BECAUSE THEY AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE ALCOHOL THAT'S SOLD.

AND IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT WHEN THE STATE IMPOSES A TAX ON THESE ITEMS, THE DISTRIBUTORS OR WHOLESALERS PASS THAT TAX ON TO CONSUMERS, AND SO IT ARTIFICIALLY MAKES THE SUBSTANCE A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE.

AND THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE BASIC ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND SAY THAT WHEN YOU RAISE TAXES A LITTLE BIT, YOU REDUCE DEMAND SOME.

AND IN THIS CASE, YOU PARTICULARLY REDUCE DEMAND BY YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO DON'T HAVE NECESSARILY AS MUCH ACCESS TO CASH, AND PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY EXPOSED TO THE PRICE INCREASES BECAUSE THEY'RE CONSUMING A LOT OF ALCOHOL.

SO THE RESEARCH HAS GONE ON OVER MANY YEARS AND IN MANY STATES, AND ON MY READ OF IT ALL, IT SEEMED PRETTY DEFINITIVE, THAT WHEN YOU RAISE ALCOHOL TAXES, THERE'S A REDUCTION IN CONSUMPTION, AND THAT YOU SEE A LOT OF REDUCTIONS IN THE HARMS THAT ALCOHOL CAN HAVE.

WE SEE REDUCTIONS IN DWI.

WE SEE REDUCTIONS IN CIRRHOSIS AND SOME OF THE CHRONIC CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOL.

SO WE KNOW THAT THIS POLICY MEASURE IS EFFECTIVE.

WE SEE LAWMAKERS REALLY NEGLECTING IT, THOUGH.

OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, NOT ONLY HAVE WE LEFT ALCOHOL TAXES AT THEIR SAME RATE, WE'VE ALLOWED INFLATION TO EAT AWAY AT THEM, BECAUSE WE TAX ALCOHOL -- THIS IS KIND OF SUBTLE, BUT WE TAX ALCOHOL BY THE VOLUME THAT IS SOLD, NOT BY ITS PRICE.

SO THAT MEANS A $6 PACK OF BUDWEISER 20 YEARS AGO HAS THE SAME TAX ON IT AS A $12 PACK OF BUDWEISER HAS TODAY.

SO ALL TOLD, WE'RE KIND OF TURNING OUR BACK ON ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEASURES TO ADDRESSING EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL USE.

AND THAT'S NOT ONLY TRUE IN NEW MEXICO, THAT'S TRUE ACROSS AND COUNTRY.

>> Gene: REPRESENTATIVE, PLEASE.

I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> Ferrary: THAT'S ALL TRUE, AND ESPECIALLY TO PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING, BECAUSE THE YOUNGER YOU ARE WHEN YOU START TO DRINK, THE MORE LIKELY YOU ARE TO BECOME A LIFELONG ABUSER OF ALCOHOL AND SEE THOSE EFFECTS.

IN 2017, WE HAD A GROUP THAT WAS TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT AND RAISE THE TAX, I THINK IT WAS A QUARTER A DRINK, AND WE NEED TO KIND OF CHANGE THAT A LITTLE BIT AND COME BACK TO TRYING TO MAKE IT A PERCENTAGE, SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE INFLATION OR DIFFERENT THINGS CHANGE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RAISING THE TAX AND THE DETERRENT EFFECT THAT IT HAS.

>> Gene: DR. WEI, I'VE GOT A QUESTION FOR YOU.

PART 3 OF THE SERIES IS ENTITLED: 'POISONOUS MYTHS - STEREOTYPES ABOUT ALCOHOL AND NATIVE PEOPLE.'

I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE FASCINATING PARTS OF THE WHOLE SEVEN-PART SERIES IN THAT THESE PERCEPTIONS ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY QUITE WRONG, EVEN AMONGST NATIVE FOLKS THEMSELVES.

YOU WORK IN GALLUP.

I'M CURIOUS YOUR SENSE OF THAT AND HOW WE GET PAST A LOT OF THAT PERCEPTION PROBLEM.

>> Wei: WE CERTAINLY SEE THAT ALCOHOL AFFECTS OUR POPULATION TO A HIGH DEGREE.

WE CERTAINLY SEE THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF THOSE THAT SUFFER, THAT HAVE ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS, ARE HIGHER IN OUR POPULATIONS HERE.

I THINK PERHAPS SOME OF THE MISPERCEPTION ARE SOME OF THE CAUSES FOR THAT.

AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THEY REALLY ARE MULTIFACTORIAL.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE -- YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT THE CDC PUTS OUT, THAT'S 15 FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY OF A CERTAIN COMMUNITY, McKINLEY COUNTY, NOT SURPRISINGLY, HAS THE HIGHEST RATES OF SOCIAL VULNERABILITY.

ESSENTIALLY ANYTHING THAT PUTS THEM AT RISK FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO HANDLE CERTAIN THINGS, SAY LIKE COVID, FOR EXAMPLE, WHICH IS WHY WE REALLY SUFFERED SOME CHALLENGES WITH COVID IN OUR AREA HERE OF THE STATE.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, PEOPLE WHO LIVE MULTI-GENERATIONALLY, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN HIGHER LEVELS OF POVERTY, LOWER LEVELS OF EDUCATION, ALL OF THESE THINGS CONTRIBUTE, IN ADDITION TO SOME OF THE HISTORICAL TRAUMA THAT IS NOT EVEN INCORPORATED INTO THESE 15 SOCIAL VULNERABILITY RISK FACTORS.

HISTORICAL TRAUMA OF OUR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND THOSE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, PTSD.

SO I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS ALL OF THESE FACTORS AND NOT JUST FOCUS ON ONE OR TWO THAT WE MAY THINK ARE THE MAIN REASONS WHY PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS.

I THINK MR. ALCORN DID A GREAT JOB IN HIGHLIGHTING THIS AND SAYING THAT EVEN IF YOU TOOK AWAY ALL NATIVE AMERICANS AS PART OF THE STATISTICS, THE STATE WOULD STILL HAVE THE HIGHEST RATES OF ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS, EVEN AMONG OTHER POPULATIONS, OTHER GROUPS.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IT'S NOT A NATIVE AMERICAN PROBLEM, IT'S A PROBLEM ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Gene: DR. VENNER, PLEASE PICK UP ON THAT.

>> Venner: THANK YOU.

JUST TWO MORE THINGS.

I LOVE, YOU KNOW, HOW COMPLEX IT IS.

THE OTHER LARGE MISCONCEPTION IS THAT NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE SOME SORT OF BIOLOGICAL PREDISPOSITION TO AN ALCOHOL USE DISORDER OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, AND THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF THAT.

OUR METABOLISM RATES ARE THE SAME, OUR GENETICS ARE THE SAME, WE HAVE THE SAME VULNERABILITIES.

WE DO END UP WITH HIGHER RATES OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDER AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER MORE BROADLY, BUT IT'S DUE TO THESE OTHER FACTORS, WHICH WE MIGHT CALL SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, LIKE HIGH POVERTY, LOW FORMAL EDUCATION, UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, FOOD DESERTS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SYSTEMIC RACISM, DISCRIMINATION, ALL OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

SO THERE'S A BALANCE OF HIGHER RATES OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND HIGHER RATES OF ABSTINENCE FROM ALCOHOL.

SO WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF NOT DRINKING ANY ALCOHOL COMPARED TO ALL OTHER RACES, ESPECIALLY IN THE PAST.

>> Gene: THAT WOULD BE NEWS TO MOST PEOPLE, I THINK.

THAT'S INTERESTING TO HAVE THAT OUT THERE.

DR. WEI, I'M CURIOUS, THERE'S A -- I'M FORGETTING THE NAME OF THE DRUG THAT COMBATS CRAVINGS.

I'M CURIOUS WHY, OR MAYBE A BETTER WAY TO ASK THIS, IS THERE SOME MOMENTUM TO HAVE THIS DRUG USE A LITTLE MORE WIDESPREAD, AVAILABLE VIA YOUR DOCTOR?

BECAUSE IN THE CASE OF STEVE HERE IN PART 5, IT WAS ALMOST MIRACULOUS WHAT HE'S HAD.

WHAT SHOULD WE KNOW?

WHAT'S THE NAME OF THAT DRUG, FIRST OF ALL, AND WHAT SHOULD WE KNOW ABOUT IT?

>> Wei: THANK YOU FOR ASKING.

THE MEDICATION IS CALLED NALTREXONE, AND IT'S A MEDICATION THAT'S AVAILABLE THAT HELPS TO BLOCK THE OPIOID RECEPTOR, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAN GET TRIGGERED WITH PEOPLE WHO PARTICULARLY HAVE POSITIVE RESPONSES TO ALCOHOL.

WHEN THEY DRINK ALCOHOL, THEY MIGHT GET THE POSITIVE RESPONSE THAT THAT MADE THEM FEEL GOOD.

AND IN FACT, SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT WHEN THEY'RE DRINKING WHILE THEY'RE TAKING THE MEDICATION, IT ACTUALLY HELPS TO STOP THAT POSITIVE CYCLE OF, HUH, WHEN I DRINK, I DON'T REALLY GET THOSE POSITIVE RESPONSES.

I DON'T FEEL BAD, BUT I DON'T GET SUCH EUPHORIC EFFECTS TO WANT TO DRINK MORE AND MORE.

SO IT KIND OF STOPS THAT CYCLE OF ADDICTION.

IT'S BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE PUT ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS INTO A SEPARATE CATEGORY OF DISEASE, UNLIKE ALS WHERE THERE'S, LIKE YOU SAID, A LOT OF ADVERTISING ON HOW TO INCREASE TREATMENT.

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF -- THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER FACTORS AND STIGMA THAT PLAY AROUND WITH ALCOHOL USE DISORDER SUCH THAT PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO ADVERTISE IT AND TRY TO IMPROVE TREATMENT.

SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY DOCTORS ALSO MAY NOT NECESSARILY THINK ABOUT PRESCRIBING A MEDICATION.

THERE'S A WHOLE SENSE THAT IT'S A MORAL FAILING RATHER THAN ACTUALLY A MEDICAL DISEASE THAT SHOULD BE TREATED JUST LIKE ANY OTHER MEDICAL DISEASE.

EVEN IF PEOPLE RELAPSE, WE DO LOTS OF THINGS THAT WE TRY TO TREAT TO PREVENT RELAPSE, AS WELL.

SO JUST PUTTING THAT IN THE REALM IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> Gene: INTERESTING.

>> Alcorn: AND I WAS JUST GOING TO INTERJECT, I THINK WHAT DR. WEI HAS JUST PUT HER FINGER ON IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGES FOR OUR STATE AND ANY STATE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS STIGMA, SHAME.

BECAUSE IT AFFECTS NOT ONLY, OF COURSE, HOW PEOPLE ACCESS TREATMENT AND HOW DOCTORS THINK ABOUT IT, BUT IT AFFECTS HOW LAWMAKERS THINK ABOUT THIS.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DISPARITIES THAT WE SEE IN OUR STATE AND THE PRECONCEPTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT A PREDISPOSITION TOWARDS ALCOHOLISM AMONG NATIVE PEOPLE, THAT'S NOT ONLY UNTRUE, BUT IT ALLOWS US IN KIND OF A PEJORATIVE WAY TO PUT THE RESPONSIBILITY ON SOMEONE ELSE.

AND IF YOU REALLY STEP BACK AND THINK THAT AN ALCOHOL DISORDER IS AN ILLNESS, LIKE ASTHMA, LIKE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, LIKE DIABETES, AND YOU SORT OF SET THAT REALM OF OBJECTIVITY AROUND IT, THEN YOU REALIZE, OH, OF COURSE WE AS A SOCIETY WOULD WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE ACCESS TO THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENTS EASIER FOR EVERYONE, BUT ALSO TO MAKE A SAFER ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE HAVE LESS OF THAT DISEASE EMERGING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND AND YOU SEE NEW MEXICO HAS MUCH HIGHER RATES OF ALCOHOL DISORDER AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT THAN OTHER PLACES, IT FORCES US TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE DON'T HAVE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WHEN IT COMES TO ALCOHOL RIGHT NOW.

IT'S MUCH MORE UNSAFE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

AND SO WE REALLY HAVE A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE THE STEPS TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Gene: WELCOME BACK TO OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS.

WE HAVE ONE FINAL DISCUSSION TOPIC THIS WEEK, A HISTORIC BUDGET SURPLUS FOR NEW MEXICO.

ACCORDING TO REPORTING IN THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL, LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE A PROJECTED $2.5 BILLION IN 'NEW MONEY' DURING THE BUDGET YEAR THAT STARTS IN JULY 2023.

NOW, THAT'S ON TOP OF A $3.8 BILLION FOR THIS YEAR.

WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING THIS MONEY, HOWEVER, EVERYONE HAS THEIR DREAM PROJECTS FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS, AS THESE THINGS SHOULD GO.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT'S THE WAY TO GO.

SENATOR SNYDER, WITHOUT ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE SESSION UNTIL NEXT YEAR, HOW SHOULD LAWMAKERS GO ABOUT FINDING THE BEST WAY TO USE THIS MONEY?

>> Diane: THAT IS THEORETICALLY WHAT INTERIM COMMITTEES ARE FOR, IS YOU HAVE PEOPLE COME AND MAKE PRESENTATIONS AND WE TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES, AND THEN SAY -- THIS GROUP, THE TRANSPORTATION PEOPLE, SAY WE NEED ROADS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, THIS IS WHY.

OTHERS SAY, EDUCATION, WE NEED BUILDINGS, THIS IS WHY.

BECAUSE IT'S GOING BEFORE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

AND SO THEN THEY SHOULD TAKE ALL THAT INFORMATION AND MAKE A DECISION.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AN ADVOCATE OF TAKING MONIES OFF THE TOP OF CAPITAL OUTLAY MONIES AND STUFF AND DOING A COMPLETE PROJECT, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T KEEP GIVING SOMEONE $50,000 A YEAR AND THE BUILDING COSTS 14.

SO I THINK THAT IT GIVES THEM A REAL OPPORTUNITY, IF THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT, TO HAVE PEOPLE COME AND SAY -- AND IF YOU DON'T COME AND MAKE A PRESENTATION, OR YOU DON'T GET US INFORMATION TO LEGISLATIVE FINANCE, THEN WE CAN'T -- YOU WON'T BE IN THE LINE, SO TO SPEAK.

BUT I THINK SERIOUS CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ALL THE THINGS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT WAS MORE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT AND STUFF FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Gene: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Diane: SO IT'S NOT LIKE THIS IS A SURPRISE ABOUT WHERE WE SHOULD SPEND THE MONEY, WE ALREADY HAVE SOME IDENTIFIED NEEDS.

THEN ONCE YOU TAKE CARE OF THOSE, THEN YOU HAVE THE REST THAT YOU CAN JUST SAY, OKAY, THIS IS A SECOND TIER NEED.

>> Gene: LET ME ASK TJ THIS, SENATOR.

THERE'S A GREAT QUOTE FROM SENATOR GEORGE MUNOZ: 'YOU CAN CHANGE THE COMPLETE PATH OF THIS STATE,' MEANING THE KIND OF MONEY THAT'S COMING IN, TJ.

HE'S NOT WRONG THERE.

MANAGING LARGESS, HOWEVER, IS NO SMALL THING.

IT'S EASY TO SCREW UP.

>> Trout: WELL, I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED MARTY CHAVEZ AS THE CZAR OF ALL THE MONEY THAT'S COMING INTO THE STATE, AND I THINK THAT IS RIGHT ON POINT AS TO, YOU KNOW, FIRST, WHAT A PROBLEM TO HAVE, THAT WE HAVE ALL THIS MONEY.

HOW MANY STATES CAN SAY THAT WE HAVE THIS.

BUT THEN THE OTHER PROBLEM IS, SINCE NOT MANY STATES HAVE THIS ISSUE, PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED.

YOU'RE RIGHT, PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED ON HOW TO SPEND IT.

WHAT DO WE DO?

WE'VE GOT ALL THIS MONEY, OH, MY GOD.

AND THE SCARY PART IS MAKING BIG MISTAKES.

YOU KNOW, NEW MEXICO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF SO MANY LISTS, SO MAYBE WE SHOULD FOCUS ON WHERE NEW MEXICO'S HAIR IS ON FIRE RIGHT NOW AND GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THESE LISTS IN EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE AND ALL OF THESE PLACES.

>> Diane: AND BRIDGES.

>> Gene: BRIDGES AND ROADS ARE HUGE, I APPRECIATE YOU SLIPPING THAT IN THERE.

HEY, SOPH, THE SURPLUS IS FUELED LARGELY BY, NO SURPRISE, BOOMING OIL AND GAS REVENUES, SO HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO MAKE SURE ANY PROJECTS BORNE OUT OF THIS SURPLUS ARE PAID UP BEFORE AN INEVITABLE BUST IN THE NATIONAL ECONOMICS?

>> Sophie: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S SORT OF TOUGH IS THAT OVER TIME, WE HAVE BEEN VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT THERE'S A BOOM AND BUST CYCLE, AND SO THERE IS FEAR, FOR INSTANCE, OF ALLOCATING RECURRING FUNDS, BECAUSE WHO KNOWS HOW LONG THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE.

I WOULD AGREE WITH THIS GROUP, THOUGH, THAT WE KNOW MANY OF THE PRIORITIES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

I'M GOING TO THROW AN EXTRA ONE IN HERE.

IF YOU WATCHED OUR THURSDAY FACEBOOK LIVE, AS WE WARMED UP FOR THIS SHOW -- PLUG FOR THAT; I THINK YOU CAN GO BACK AND SEE IT STILL -- WE HAD A BIT OF A CONVERSATION ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I ANTICIPATE SEEING FROM AT LEAST SOME OF THE FOLKS AT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS, LET'S NOT PUT ANY MONEY IN THAT WOULD CAUSE US TO LOSE OIL AND GAS REVENUE.

WELL, WE HAVE A REAL NEED IN THIS STATE TO INVEST, AS WELL, IN RENEWABLES AND IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

SO I WOULD SAY, YEAH, WE WANT THE MONEY TO KEEP COMING, BUT WE NEED TO BE AWARE THAT WE NEED TO BALANCE THAT AGAINST THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES, THE HEALTH OF OUR STATE, THE HEALTH OF OUR COUNTRY, AND THE HEALTH OF OUR WORLD.

>> Gene: THAT'S RIGHT.

SENATOR, THERE'S AN INTERESTING LITTLE BIT HERE.

WE HAVE ALL THIS MONEY COMING IN; HOWEVER, WE HAVE THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW, INSIDE THIS HISTORIC SURPLUS.

IS THAT A SYMPTOM OF THE LOW-PAYING JOBS AVAILABLE OR SOMETHING LARGER?

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

HOW CAN THOSE TWO THINGS HAPPEN AT ONCE?

>> Diane: BECAUSE I THINK, ALSO, IF YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED IN THE OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION INDUSTRIES, THAT ALSO IS GOING TO BE A BOOM AND BUST NUMBER.

BUT I THINK THAT, YES, I THINK IT'S A SAD SITUATION THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE LOWEST PAID, BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, EVERYBODY IS NOT BENEFITING FROM ALL OF THESE REVENUES.

YOUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

YOU KNOW, UNLESS THE PEOPLE HAVE THE MONEY, THEN THEY CAN'T GO AND SPEND IT AT THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE.

SO OUR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE NOT BENEFITING FROM ALL THIS MONEY.

THE STATE IS AND PROJECTS ARE, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE LIFE BLOOD OF OUR STATE, ALL OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

AND HIRING THAT EXTRA PERSON.

I'VE FORGOTTEN WHAT THE NUMBER IS, BUT IF EVERY SMALL BUSINESS JUST HIRED ONE PERSON, WE WOULDN'T HAVE AN UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM IN NEW MEXICO.

SO WE HAVE TO THINK IN TERMS OF HOW THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

>> Gene: GOOD POINTS THERE.

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR LINE PANEL, AS ALWAYS, FOR THIS WEEK.

BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ANY OF THE TOPICS THE LINE COVERED ON OUR FACEBOOK, TWITTER, OR INSTAGRAM PAGES.

AND TO YOU, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, AND FOR STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK In FOCUS.

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