​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2.pngWhat is Substance Use? 

Substance Use refers to the regular and/or occasional use of legal and illegal substances including alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, opioids, and other drugs. People use substances for many reasons including medicinal, recreational cultural and religious purposes.

Substance use related harms and overdose have a significant impact on people who use substances, their families, and communities. In the city of Phoenix fatal overdose rates grew 39% from 2019 to 2022. For more information on substance use trends and data check out the Phoenix Substance Use and Overdose Dashboard (PSUOD).​  

Opioid Settlements

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In August 2021, 90 Arizona cities and towns and all 15 counties signed on to the One Arizona Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding (“One Arizona Agreement"). The One Arizona Agreement outlines the distribution of funds that Arizona will receive over 18 years. As part of the spending framework, the City of Phoenix will receive 21.28% of the share received by Maricopa County. To date the city has received dollars associated with 8 settlements.  Settlement funds must be used for future opioid strategies that are nationally recognized. Approved uses include evidence-based, evidence-informed strategies regarding:

  • ​Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
  • Support for people in treatment and recovery
  • Support for people who have or are at risk of developing opioid use disorder
  • Prevention of opioid and substance misuse
  • Prevention of overdose deaths and other harms 
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For more information on Opioid Settlements visit the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and Arizona Attorney General websites.​​

Opioid Settlement Planning

The City of Phoenix Office of Public Health in partnership with ASU SATRN launched the City of Phoenix Community Opioid Survey in August 2023. The survey aimed to understand the experiences, knowledge, and attitudes of Phoenix residents on opioid and substance use and related issues. Read the full report for more information.​

This survey is being combined with data from the Substance Use Provider Assessment and the Assessment of Service Needs of People Who Use Drugs, led by Maricopa County. ​

Language and Substance Use

stigma languag.pngFor more information, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse website​.



Treatment Systems

There are many treatment options available to you. To find a treatment center near you go to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System  or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA) treatment finder at  FindTreatment.gov.

Harm Reduction Supplies

​​​Southwest Recovery Alliance 

Shot in the Dark (text only)

East Valley: 602-456-8911

West Valley: 623-738-5539​

Crisis and Information Hotlines


​SAMHSA National Hotline 24/7

1-800-662-HELP (4357) English and Spanish 

Suicide and Crisis Hotline

 988

Arizona 24/7 Crisis Line

1-844-534-4673

Maricopa County Crisis Hotline 

1-800-631-1314​

Terros Health 24/7 Crisis Line

602-685-6000

Arizona Overdose Assistance Referral Line 24/7 

1-800-688-4222

Solari Peer Support Specialist Hotline

602-347-1100

Never Use Alone Line 

1-800-484-3731 (English) 

1-800-928-5330 (Spanish)​​