THE LAND OF DEPENDENCE: New Mexico's Fight to Reclaim Its Future

How can a state so rich in culture, natural resources, history, and potential continue to struggle with poverty, education, crime, addiction, and economic dependence?The Land of Dependence: New Mexico's Fight to Reclaim Its Future takes a detailed look at the difficult questions facing the Land of Enchantment.Author Kateri Tavenner examines New Mexico's education rankings, poverty trends, SNAP and Medicaid participation, violent and property crime, the addiction and overdose crisis, marijuana legalization, employment, family structure, and the enormous role government plays in the lives of New Mexicans.But this book goes deeper than statistics.It explores how generations of economic hardship can affect families and communities, the importance of Hispanic family traditions and la familia, the distinct cultures and traditions of New Mexico's Native nations and pueblos, and the role parents, grandparents, businesses, schools, churches, community organizations, and ordinary citizens can play in rebuilding opportunity.Using publicly available data alongside personal commentary, Tavenner asks a challenging question: Has New Mexico become better at managing poverty than creating pathways out of it?Rather than blaming people who need assistance, the book examines whether government programs are producing measurable long-term results. It also distinguishes marijuana legalization from the much broader fentanyl, methamphetamine, alcohol, and overdose crises while asking whether New Mexico is adequately measuring the consequences of its policies.Most importantly, The Land of Dependence looks forward.What can citizens do? How can communities strengthen families? How can schools better prepare children? How can government assistance become a bridge toward greater independence when possible? And how can New Mexicans hold public institutions accountable without allowing political party loyalty to replace measurable results?New Mexico's statistics may describe where the state has been.They do not have to determine where it goes next.For readers concerned about New Mexico's children, families, economy, culture, public safety, and future, this book offers facts, questions, historical comparisons, and ideas for change-while leaving the ultimate political decisions where they belong: with the citizens of New Mexico.