While overdose deaths fell nationally in 2025, Arizona’s deadly drug cases surged by 17%

While overdose deaths dropped by about 15% nationally last year, Arizona’s jumped by more than 17%, according to preliminary Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Arizona’s overdose reversals, instances in which naloxone is used to restore breathing after an opioid overdose, nearly tripled in 2025.

The CDC noted data in some states are underreported and is subject to change, including in Arizona.

Arizona overdose deaths increase despite national trend

Law enforcement partners have told the Arizona Department of Health Services that Arizona is a distribution hub for illicit drugs, including deadly additives and new compounds that can make drugs more potent.

Dr. Martín Celaya, chief of the Bureau of Assessment and Evaluation, said 90% of overdose deaths in the state involve polysubstance use, meaning more than one kind of drug was involved.

“Primarily the combination that is most common in those substances is meth and fentanyl,” Celaya told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

The department reviews fatality data to try to determine if the person knew they were using more than one substance.

“We look at all of these deaths to try to figure out did the individual know their methamphetamine was laced with fentanyl or vice versa. Some cases folks just don’t know what they’re consuming,” Celaya said.

The overdose death rate in Arizona is also being fueled by illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

Overdose ‘reversals’ increase

By contrast, the rise in overdose reversals is being credited to Sonoran Prevention Works’ naloxone saturation strategy.

The organization, known as SPW, is the largest harm reduction organization in the state.

“We are the single biggest distributor of naloxone in the country that is not a government,” SPW CEO Scott Greenwood told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Greenwood said overdose reversals in Arizona rose from roughly 2,500 in 2024 to more than 4,000 in 2025.

“If you include our community partners that are resourced through SPW, that number for us is about 6,000.”

Most people are familiar with naloxone through its nasal spray form, sold under the brand Narcan, which is available over the counter.

However, Greenwood said Narcan can be expensive.

SPW has seen success using the injectable version, called intermuscular.

“The huge cost differential between the intranasal and the intramuscular variety, we are simply able to offer a lot more intramuscular naloxone across the state,” Greenwood said.

While SPW helps refer people to addiction treatment, the organization for the first time is exploring a clinical program for medication-assisted treatment that it would provide directly.

Greenwood also advocated for access to test strips to check drugs for deadly additives such as fentanyl.

Drugs are often mixed with other dangerous substances that can cause an overdose, said Greenwood.

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