Phoenix has launched its first public dashboard detailing substance use and overdoses data. Men made up 71% of the 4,554 suspected opioid overdoses reported by Phoenix Fire in 2023. The busiest month for emergency responders was July when the fire department responded to 536 suspected overdoses.
Yanitza Soto, special projects administrator, said private residences were the most common location at 39%, followed by transportation and roadways at 36%.
“This category includes sidewalks, bus stops, airport, light rail and any location associated with vehicular traffic including train tracks,” she said.
An interactive map breaks down fatal overdoses caused by any drug by ZIP code. The highest number, 70, was reported in 85009, which is roughly 19th to 43rd avenues, from Thomas Road, south to the Salt River.
The dashboard’s second phase, currently being developed, will include a monitoring and alert system to track daily trends, support interventions and outreach, and evaluate efforts by police, fire and community partners.
The project’s cost is being covered through opioid settlement dollars as part of the One Arizona agreement. As of April 1, 2024, Phoenix had received nearly $5.5 million. The city expects to receive additional settlement funds but the amount is unknown.
2022 fatal overdose highlights
- 1,023 fatal overdoses
- 78% were men
- 25% of fatalities were between 35 and 44 years old
- Fentanyl (66.6%) and methamphetamine (58.7%) were mostly commonly involved
