• Excessive alcohol use leads to increased risk of health problems such as injuries, violence, liver disease, and cancer.
• An average of four people die of alcohol-related causes daily in New Mexico and the rate of alcohol-related mortality is increasing.
• Excessive alcohol consumption does not differ by race/ethnicity. Alcohol-related death rates are two times higher for Whites, three times higher for Black/African Americans and Hispanics, and nearly ten times higher for American Indians compared to Asian/Pacific Islanders.
• A multifactorial approach is needed to address alcohol-related harm in New Mexico. NMDOH depends on partnerships with other state agencies, clinicians, community groups, and councils to expand its reach.
• For the first quarter of FY19 the Epidemiology and Response Division Substance Abuse Epidemiology program will analyze the results of the survey for counties that include evidence-based strategies to reduce alcohol related harms in order to identify a more effective approach to support the health councils in FY19 and continue the focus on county collaborations that show mutual interest and participation. 

• NMDOH
• New Mexico Department of Transportation
• New Mexico Human Services Department
• New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department
• New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration
• Health Councils
• Santa Fe Prevention Alliance
• McKinley County DWI Council
• Rocky Mountain Youth Corps
• Hands across Cultures
• Gallup Share and Care
• Partners for Community Action
• Clinical groups
• Navajo Nation
• Bernalillo County, Office of Health and Social Services

• Reducing alcohol outlet density in key areas.
• Increasing alcohol screening and brief intervention.
• Increasing the price of alcohol.
• Decreasing the hours alcohol is sold.

• Increase in perception that alcohol is a public health issue.
• Increase in number of stakeholders that prioritize addressing alcohol-related harm.
• Increase in number of stakeholders that are aware of Community Guide recommendations.

• Q1:  Send out revised survey to NM Health Councils and interpret results. Completed - New survey was developed and forwarded to the NM Health Councils on 8/9/19.  42% of health councils polled responded in Q1 to the survey reporting that they include evidence-based strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms in their plans.
• Q2:  Contact a minimum of two councils where alcohol-related harm strategies have not been employed to encourage the adoption of strategies related to addressing excessive alcohol use.
• Q3:  Contact a minimum of two councils where alcohol-related harm strategies have not been employed to encourage the adoption of strategies related to addressing excessive alcohol use.
• Q4:  Contact a minimum of two councils where alcohol-related harm strategies have not been employed to encourage the adoption of strategies related to addressing excessive alcohol use.

Although it was not able to complete a presentation for the Rio Arriba County Health Council, the Substance Abuse Epidemiology Section (SAES) had completed a presentation in the 4th quarter of FY18 for the Grant and McKinley county health councils and essentially all of its milestones for FY18. SAES continues to achieve progress in its work with the health councils and will tailor efforts based on a needs assessment (survey). With FY18 ending and FY19 starting, SAES is continually engaged with the health councils and is improving its capacity to provide technical assistance when and where appropriate to create an effective partnership.