What was the substance in New Mexico that caused a deadly exposure?

State police have identified the unknown substance at the center of a deadly exposure at a New Mexico home that caused three deaths and hospitalized several, including first responders.

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New Mexico State Police have identified the unknown substance that caused three deaths and hospitalized several others, including first responders.State police say 25 people were exposed to fentanyl, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl in powdered form.Of the 25 people who were exposed, 20 were treated at the University of New Mexico Hospital and released, two remain hospitalized, and three died.First responders who arrived at the home were exposed to the substance and began experiencing symptoms, including nausea and dizziness, authorities said.Investigators haven’t yet determined how the substance was transmitted to first responders, whether by skin contact or some other means.Fentanyl is a potent opioid that’s mainly used for pain relief. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the drug is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin as an analgesic.Antonette Alguire, a volunteer firefighter in Mountainair, helped perform CPR on a woman outside the home and watched as EMTs and firefighters started coughing, vomiting and becoming dizzy at the heliport, she said. Alguire said the experience was scary, even though she didn’t go inside and didn’t experience any symptoms.She wondered if first responders might have to do more to protect themselves in the future.“It’s getting to that point where we just have to live in fear, even saving lives,” she said.Nearly two dozen patients were assessed and decontaminated after being exposed to the substance, the University of New Mexico Hospital said. Most of those were first responders who were showing no symptoms and later were discharged, hospital officials said. Residents voiced frustration on social media about drug use in the community and elsewhere. New Mexico had the fourth-highest rate of drug overdose deaths of any U.S. state in 2024, with 775 deaths, according to the most recent data available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Nieto said on social media that the town’s law enforcement officers and first responders work daily to protect the community and respond to difficult situations.“But the reality is that addiction and substance abuse are issues affecting communities all across our state and nation,” Nieto said. “There is no simple or immediate solution. Lasting change requires family support, accountability, education, and most importantly, individuals who are willing to accept help.”

New Mexico State Police have identified the unknown substance that caused three deaths and hospitalized several others, including first responders.

State police say 25 people were exposed to fentanyl, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl in powdered form.

Of the 25 people who were exposed, 20 were treated at the University of New Mexico Hospital and released, two remain hospitalized, and three died.

First responders who arrived at the home were exposed to the substance and began experiencing symptoms, including nausea and dizziness, authorities said.

Investigators haven’t yet determined how the substance was transmitted to first responders, whether by skin contact or some other means.

Fentanyl is a potent opioid that’s mainly used for pain relief. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the drug is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin as an analgesic.

Antonette Alguire, a volunteer firefighter in Mountainair, helped perform CPR on a woman outside the home and watched as EMTs and firefighters started coughing, vomiting and becoming dizzy at the heliport, she said. Alguire said the experience was scary, even though she didn’t go inside and didn’t experience any symptoms.

She wondered if first responders might have to do more to protect themselves in the future.

“It’s getting to that point where we just have to live in fear, even saving lives,” she said.

Nearly two dozen patients were assessed and decontaminated after being exposed to the substance, the University of New Mexico Hospital said. Most of those were first responders who were showing no symptoms and later were discharged, hospital officials said.

Residents voiced frustration on social media about drug use in the community and elsewhere. New Mexico had the fourth-highest rate of drug overdose deaths of any U.S. state in 2024, with 775 deaths, according to the most recent data available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nieto said on social media that the town’s law enforcement officers and first responders work daily to protect the community and respond to difficult situations.

“But the reality is that addiction and substance abuse are issues affecting communities all across our state and nation,” Nieto said. “There is no simple or immediate solution. Lasting change requires family support, accountability, education, and most importantly, individuals who are willing to accept help.”