A new report by Common Sense Institute Arizona paints a grim picture of the state’s ongoing struggle with fentanyl and opioids, estimating the crisis cost Arizona a staggering $58 billion in 2023. This economic burden encompasses fatalities, treatment for opioid use disorder, hospitalisations, and border security efforts.

Mixed Signals: Opioid Prescriptions Down, Fentanyl Up

The report, released on Monday, acknowledges a nationwide decline in opioid prescriptions over the past decade. Additionally, drug-related seizures within Arizona have decreased since 2020. However, these seemingly positive trends are overshadowed by the alarming rise of fentanyl.

“One might naively assume that fewer drugs translate to less of a problem, but that’s simply not the case,” stated Glenn Farley, lead author of the report, during a press briefing.

The report blames the surge of fentanyl on the ongoing southern border migrant crisis. It highlights the strain placed on Customs and Border Protection (CBP) due to increased migrant crossings and reduced checkpoint functionality. “These resource shifts likely compromise CBP’s ability to prevent fentanyl smuggling,” the report warns.

Unknown Quantity, Devastating Impact

Farley emphasisedz the unknown quantity of fentanyl currently circulating within the U.S., despite the undeniable rise in deaths attributed to the potent synthetic opioid. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported nearly 74,000 fentanyl-related overdose deaths nationwide in 2022. While Arizona has seen a concerning plateau of roughly 2,000 opioid-related deaths annually since 2020, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), the presence of fentanyl significantly complicates this seemingly stagnant statistic.

This report serves as a stark reminder that the opioid crisis, fueled by fentanyl’s deadliness, continues to inflict devastating economic and human costs on Arizona, despite efforts to curb prescription drug misuse. With the border situation adding another layer of complexity, addressing this public health emergency will require a multi-pronged approach that includes effective border security, expanded treatment options, and continued efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.

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Cronkitenew