Government programs failing miserably as NM youth crisis deepens: Report

A new report from WalletHub confirms what many New Mexicans have seen firsthand: the state is failing its young people. Ranking third in the nation for most at-risk youth, New Mexico continues to suffer from a toxic mix of academic decline, drug use, poverty, and youth disengagement. The study, which analyzed all 50 states and Washington, D.C., looked at 15 indicators of youth risk—from dropout rates to drug abuse—and found New Mexico near the bottom in nearly every category.

The state, ran almost exclusively by Democrats for nearly a century, ranked #1 for the percentage of youth without a high school diploma, and #7 for disconnected youth—those neither working nor in school. Combine that with a top-5 ranking in youth drug use and obesity, and it paints a bleak picture for the next generation. Despite numerous government programs and increasing education budgets, there appears to be little improvement in outcomes for the very people these systems claim to serve.

More troubling still is that New Mexico ranks #10 for youth poverty and #19 for youth homelessness, illustrating that despite years of increased funding for “anti-poverty” and “youth engagement” initiatives, many young people remain directionless and vulnerable. These aren’t just numbers—they represent a growing population of young Americans who are falling through the cracks, with very real consequences for the state’s future economic stability and social well-being.

The national average for disconnected youth stands around 13%, but in states like New Mexico and Louisiana—the latter of which ranked worst overall—the rate is even higher. The second-worst state was Mississippi. According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, “A high share of youth who are not working, not getting education and generally stagnating in life can spell trouble for the future.”

While WalletHub’s panel of academic experts advocates for more “culturally relevant” programs, increased community engagement, and expanded social services, the evidence suggests that the ongoing expansion of bureaucracy and government involvement has only exacerbated the problem. With many of these initiatives focused more on political correctness than practical results, New Mexico’s youth are stuck in a system that offers plenty of ideology but few real-world skills or opportunities.

The reality is that young people don’t need more empty programming—they need clear expectations, strong families, and access to real job training and educational standards that prepare them for adult life. Parents, not agencies or activist nonprofits, remain the most crucial factor in ensuring that kids stay in school, find work, and build purpose in their lives. As one expert put it, “authoritative parenting”—a combination of support and discipline—is still the gold standard.

Rather than expanding failed programs or pushing new “youth empowerment” initiatives riddled with ideological jargon, New Mexico would do better by holding its institutions accountable and promoting individual responsibility, real academic achievement, and job readiness. Without a severe course correction, the state risks continuing this generational failure—one that leaves young people unprepared and taxpayers on the hook for the consequences.

View the full WalletHub report here. 

The post Government programs failing miserably as NM youth crisis deepens: Report appeared first on Piñon Post.