The state Department of Health says more New Mexicans died last year of drug overdoses than in any other year on record.
The Albuquerque Journal reports state numbers show the 536 deaths in 2014 mark a 19 percent increase over the year before, following a two-year decline.
New Mexico's deaths per capita were 26.4 per 100,000 last year.
State Epidemiologist Michael Landen says the high number of deaths means New Mexico needs to step up efforts to curb addiction, including better monitoring of prescription painkillers.
Officials say In 2013, 449 New Mexicans died of overdoses.
Landen says New Mexico led the nation for years in drug overdose deaths per capita, but West Virginia has occupied the No. 1 spot in recent years.
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