Billboards and Bold Voices: Albuquerque's Campaign to Curb Black Overdose Crisis with Naloxone Awareness

By Houston Style Magazine Editorial Team

In a city where community action meets public health innovation, Albuquerque, New Mexico is becoming a model of life-saving awareness. Along major highways and in neighborhoods where the overdose crisis has taken too many lives, a bold message is rising from towering billboards: “You Have The Power to Save Lives.” Backed by the national nonprofit Vital Strategies, this initiative is placing naloxone—commonly known by its brand name Narcan—into the hands of those who need it most.

As part of a sweeping campaign targeting Black communities in seven major U.S. cities—including Newark, Philadelphia, Durham, Louisville, Detroit, and Milwaukee—Albuquerque is taking a front-and-center role. With overdose deaths among Black residents in Bernalillo County soaring to 70 per 100,000 (one of the nation’s highest rates), local leaders are refusing to stay silent.

The Power of Awareness and Access

Stacy Burleson, Executive Director of Women in Leadership and herself a recovered drug user, is leading Albuquerque’s efforts with heart and hustle. “Since we launched in March, we've distributed over 200 Narcan kits,” Burleson shared. “These billboards are a call to action—they represent stories of survival and the urgent need to address the overdose epidemic in Black communities.”

The billboards stretch across New Mexico—from Carlsbad to Socorro and soon in Las Cruces, Hobbs, and Clovis—sharing images of real people like Queva Hubbard, who overcame addiction and will soon graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Others include Christopher Anderson, a community advocate for substance abuse awareness and conflict resolution, and Shanicka Green, who’s been in recovery for over six years and now empowers others to follow her path.

Their stories are more than inspiring—they’re changing perceptions and saving lives.

A Digital Frontline for Saving Lives

To further amplify the campaign, local influencer Kendall Bell has stepped in as the campaign’s social media manager. With a strong online presence and creative vision, Bell is crafting high-impact “reels” and digital content to engage viewers across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

“We’re in a time where if you want your message heard, it must live on social media,” said Bell. “People scroll, they watch, they react. If they see someone like themselves in our videos—someone who was saved or who saved a loved one using Narcan—it sticks.”

Bell emphasized that overdoses aren’t limited to stereotypes or street corners. “An overdose can happen to your grandmother misreading her prescription. If people understand what Narcan does, they’ll see that it can be used in everyday emergencies.”

Ground-Level Impact with High-Level Support

The campaign’s educational hub, YouCanSaveLives.org, provides local resources, real-life testimonials, and information on where to obtain free naloxone kits. Vital Strategies, the global health organization behind the campaign, aims to drive equitable reductions in overdose deaths by working alongside community leaders, public health agencies, and affected residents.

From distributing 84 Narcan kits at a local casino to activating civic leaders across the state, Albuquerque is proving that awareness, access, and action can rewrite the narrative on drug overdoses—especially in Black communities that are too often left out of prevention strategies.

Why This Matters for Houston and Beyond

While this campaign is centered in Albuquerque, its ripple effect extends to urban communities nationwide—Houston included. Black communities across the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by overdose deaths, yet remain underrepresented in response strategies. Albuquerque’s model is a reminder that change begins when real stories meet real action—and that every community has the power to save lives.

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Houston Style Magazine stands with communities nationwide fighting for health equity, harm reduction, and the power of second chances. To learn more, visit YouCanSaveLives.org and share the message.