Facebook joins effort to fight opioid crisis in New Mexico

Facebook is joining the fight against the opioid crisis in New Mexico as the social media giant faces criticism for allowing sellers to use its platform to offer illegal drugs.

The Menlo Park, California company said Tuesday it will work with the state’s attorney general to show Facebook users how they can use its digital tools to combat addiction.

The move comes as Facebook is preparing to open a data center in central New Mexico.

Ana Martinez, head of Facebook’s community engagement for the U.S. Southwest, says the social media company’s online groups offer families support and information to fight addiction.

Last year, a CNBC investigation found that sellers in the U.S. and overseas were using Facebook pages and videos to offer opioids that require a prescription.