Rubén Martínez is a journalist, author and musician whose recent book “Desert America” chronicles, among other things, the high rate of heroin addiction among Hispanos in New Mexico’s rural communities. While living in Velarde, New Mexico Rubén was able to witness the destructive force of addiction in the lives of his two neighbors, José and Rose. This inspired his original song, “In the Shadows of Black Mesa” which he performed at the 2013 Las Cruces Border Book Festival.