A new training partnership from New Mexico EDGE and Zschool has launched to expand access to high‑impact opioid use disorder education for the state’s frontline professionals. This evidence‑based training is designed to strengthen crisis response, improve safety and connect individuals to appropriate care.
NM EDGE, which stands for Education Designed to Generate Excellence in the public sector and is part of New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service, and Zschool are offering self‑paced, online courses. Designed to be completed in four hours, the opioid use disorder training programs are intended for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, first responders and multidisciplinary crisis response teams across the state.
“Frontline professionals are increasingly called upon to respond to complex opioid‑related crises,” said Christy Green, NM EDGE program director. “This partnership with Zschool allows us to deliver practical, actionable training that supports safety, professionalism and better outcomes for individuals and communities across New Mexico.”
The training focuses on real‑world application, equipping participants with tools to recognize signs of opioid use disorder and co‑occurring mental health conditions, safely de‑escalate crises, reduce risk and liability and strengthen referral pathways to treatment and community resources. The curriculum is grounded in the CARE framework – calm, assess, respond and engage — and emphasizes collaboration, harm reduction and trauma‑informed response.
This collaboration uses NM EDGE’s statewide reach and Zschool’s expertise in behavioral health education and workforce development to address workforce readiness gaps and support for an opioid crisis coordinated response. Participants who complete the training receive an NMSU NM EDGE certificate of completion, and many agencies may qualify for 100% fully funded enrollment.
For more information or to enroll, visit profed.nmsu.edu.