Expert Insights
As a social worker, I hear that syringe exchange programs get a bad reputation in the community and are often stigmatized along with people who use drugs. But it’s important to note that some harm reduction centers, like the syringe service program in Mesa, Arizona, are leading people to recovery. Workers at these centers offer clean supplies and resources to people to reduce harm and, believe it or not, people who use drugs are four times more likely to find recovery through these programs. I think if we focus more efforts on reducing harm and treating people with a mental health disorder with dignity and respect, they’ll believe they are worthy of treatment and get the help they need.
~ Olivia Pennelle
How Does Mesa Compare in Alcohol and Drug Use?
Arizona as a state, and specifically the city of Mesa, has been majorly affected by the epidemic of drug and alcohol misuse. From an explosion of opioid overdoses to the epic rise in drug-related crime, Mesa residents are in need of addiction treatment resources.10
With nearly 340 accredited alcohol and drug rehabs in Mesa, now is the time to obtain professional help and start a new life of recovery. Mesa also offers a number of free treatment options, plus those that accept private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health ranks Arizona at the top of the list in the United States for prescription drug abuse. Between 2018 and 2019, approximately 215,000 Arizona residents aged 18 and over abused pain relievers.1
According to SAMHSA’s 2019 N-SSATS Arizona study, Arizona has a significant binge drinking problem. Between 2018 and 2019, approximately 1,266,000 participated in binge drinking within one month of taking the survey. The survey shows:2
Participants with alcohol and drug abuse 40.9%
Participants with drug abuse only 42.9%
Participants with alcohol abuse only 16.3%
Arizona Department of Health Services credits drugs and medications (over-the-counter, prescription, and illicit drugs) as the underlying cause of death for 90% of poisoning deaths in 2015.3,4
The breakdown shows of the deaths, 78.8% of overdoses were unintentional, 13.6% were intentional self-harm or suicide, and 7.6% had undetermined intent. Males rated 1.5 times higher than females, while persons aged 45-54 showed the highest rate by age.
Arizona Drug Climate
Arizona’s drug climate is directly linked to its location, situated directly north of a significant trafficker stronghold in Sonora, Mexico. The border between Sonora and Arizona is rugged, sparsely populated, and infrequently patrolled by law enforcement, making it ideal for drug smuggling.
Arizona serves as a site to import and ship drugs. Top drugs smuggled into Arizona include cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, Mexican black tar heroin, oxycontin, and base chemicals.5
Also included are “club drugs” like ecstasy, GHB, LSD, ketamine, and nitrous oxide.
Mesa, Arizona, ranks high among U.S. cities for drug-related crime.6 Mesa’s safety rating is in the 5th percentile; only 5% of U.S. cities are more dangerous. The rate of drug-related crime in Mesa is 13.03 per 1,000 residents per standard year.
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Mesa
Arizona Good Samaritan Law: The Good Samaritan Law of Arizona protects anyone who witnesses an overdose and calls 911 for emergency services. The law encourages people to step forward without fear of repercussions and prevent further overdoses in the community. The law protects the Good Samaritan from drug-related arrests/convictions regarding the overdose, even if the caller has a small amount of drugs without the intention to sell or distribute.7
Arizona Government Treatment Bills: The Arizona Revised Statute § 13-901.01(A) states, in part:8
Probation for persons convicted of possession or use of controlled substances or drug paraphernalia; treatment; prevention; education; exceptions:
- Anyone convicted of personal possession or use of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia may be eligible for probation.
- According to this bill, personal possession or use of a controlled substance does not include the production, manufacture, sale, or transportation of any controlled substance.
- The court may require a convicted person to enter into drug treatment or an educational program as part of probation. The court requires a qualified organization to provide such programs.
- Anyone under court-ordered probation may not violate the terms of the probation agreement. If you break your probation, you will have to appear before the court and receive new terms.
- Suppose the violation involves the possession of a controlled substance. In that case, the court may require you to go to intensive probation, house arrest, community service, restitution, intensified drug treatment, or other action under the court’s jurisdiction. If you violate your probation a second time, the court may issue additional conditions to the probation.
- A second conviction, including personal possession or use of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia, may result in the court sentencing additional conditions of probation. The court institutes any condition it deems necessary. Conditions might include intensified drug treatment, community restitution, intensive probation, home arrest, or any action within the court’s jurisdiction
Resources
- National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2021). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services.
- State of Arizona (2022). Opioid Overdose – A Public Health Emergency
- Arizona Department of Health Services (2017). Arizona Special Emphasis Report: Drug Overdose Deaths 2005-2015
- National Substance Abuse Index. Arizona Drug Climate
- Crimegrade.org (2021). Drug-Related Crime per Capita in Mesa
- Arizona State Legislature (2022). Arizona Revised Statute 13-3423 “Medical Assistance Requests; Prohibited Prosecution of Good Samaritans”
- Arizona State Legislature (2022). The Arizona Revised Statue § 13-901.01(A)
- National Library of Medicine. (2009). Medicines Used in Alcohol and Opioid Dependence.
- Mesa AZ Police. (2022). Crime Statistics.
