Athena R. Huckaby, MPH

02/06/2026

New Mexico’s Good Samaritan Law protects people who call 911 during an overdose.

Both the witness and the person overdosing are protected from drug possession charges.

This law exists so people feel safe calling for help. Fear should never be the reason someone dies.

I talk about this in every naloxone training, but we still haven’t done enough to get the word out.

If you’ve had an experience with this law in New Mexico, I’d really like to hear your perspective.

02/04/2026

Here at the Roundhouse advocating for HB137, the buprenorphine access bill. Just learned the mid level distributors hired a lobbyist, the same person that has been hired in the past to lobby for the alcohol and to***co industry. Ask yourself why medications distributors don't want people to have access to life saving medications. Make it make sense (hint, it's stigma and discrimination)

01/31/2026

Thank you, Jessie, for the beautiful painted rock! ❤️

01/14/2026

The Trump administration has sent termination letters canceling federal grants that fund front-line addiction and mental health services, effective immediately. National estimates suggest more than $2 billion in funding may be affected.

In New Mexico, this almost certainly impacts the Prescription Opioid Overdose–Related Deaths (PDO) grant, which supports naloxone purchase and distribution in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Bernalillo, and Doña Ana Counties.

New Mexico will likely sue. Other states will too. Lawsuits don’t keep programs open.

These grants were terminated overnight. Organizations will be forced to close, lay off staff, and stop distributing lifesaving supplies. Even if these cuts are later ruled unconstitutional, the disruption itself causes real harm and interrupts care people rely on.

Naloxone distribution, overdose prevention, peer support, and crisis response can mean the difference between life and death in our communities.

The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.

01/13/2026

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we talk about buprenorphine.

This medication helps stabilize opioid receptors over time, reduces cravings, and lowers overdose risk. It’s predictable, regulated, and available in several forms, including long-acting injections.

In this video, I talk through the science in plain language and why access to this medication saves lives. Progress in health care comes from using tools that work in real life.

👕 Shirt: Women With a Vision, New Orleans
🧠 Public health is political.

01/13/2026

Save a Life: Naloxone, Overdose Response & Drug Checking Education

I’m partnering with Food Not Bombs Las Cruces to offer a free, hands-on naloxone (Narcan) and overdose response training for the Las Cruces community.

📅 Saturday, January 31, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Peace Lutheran Church
1701 Missouri Ave, Las Cruces, NM

This training is open to everyone. No medical background required.

Participants will learn:

How to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose

How to respond safely and effectively

How to administer naloxone

What to do after naloxone is given

New addition:
I’ll be joined by Phillip Fiuty, Technical Advisor for the Drug Adulterant Checking Program with Vital Strategies and the New Mexico Department of Health, who will share information on drug checking and recent contaminants in the drug supply.

Each participant will receive a free naloxone kit to take home.

Whether you’re a community member, family member, friend, service provider, or simply someone who wants to be prepared, this training can help save a life.

Please share with your networks.

01/09/2026

How does one become an advocate?

It sounds corny, but I think we just do it! Start small, do what you can, and hopefully your impact grows!

Thanks to Emma Yasinski for the opportunity to answer her excellent questions in this second interview excerpt.

01/07/2026

For this reason, I got an order from my doc to get my blood drawn to determine if I needed an MMR booster. I'm thankfully still immune to measles, mumps, and rubella!