The Problem
Heroin, Synthetic Opioids, and Prescription Drugs
Unfortunately, prescription drug abuse can often lead to illegal drug use. Nationwide, among new heroin users, 75 percent report having abused prescription opioids before using heroin.1 In 2016, there were 431 million opioid pills prescribed in Arizona.2
Arizona's Opioid Problem
Like many areas of the country, the opioid epidemic in Arizona has gotten worse in recent years. According to the state's department of health services, heroin deaths have tripled since 2012.
1Heroin Overdose Data. Center of Disease Control and Prevention. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/heroin.html
2 "Opioid Epidemic in Arizona." Source: https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/director/public-information-office/news-...
