Tempe's battle on opioid abuse heats up with new plan of attack

The plan is funded through national opioid settlement funds.

PUBLISHED OCT 6, 2024

Tempe is expected to receive $9.2 million from seven active settlements over 18 years.

Tempe, Arizona: More youth and adults will receive support, resources and education against opioid misuse as part of the City of Tempe’s new opioid response plan recently approved by the Tempe City Council.

The plan is funded through national opioid settlement funds and strengthens Tempe’s existing work. Tempe is expected to receive more than $9 million over the next two decades to bolster its efforts.

The funds, already being disbursed, are earmarked for drug treatment and addiction prevention efforts.

“Opioid misuse is a very serious public health threat in Tempe, our state and country. Last year alone in Tempe, 90 people died as a result of a drug overdose and another 426 people overdosed, but thankfully survived,” said Mayor Corey Woods. “These settlement funds allow us to expand vital programs and services, and enhance training, so we are doing the very best for our community. Spending these funds strategically will help save lives.”

Funds come through the One Arizona Distribution of Opioid Settlement Funds Agreement, negotiated against the pharmaceutical industry. Arizona’s $1.12 billion share of national settlement funds is determined by the impact of the crisis on the state and its population. Tempe is expected to receive $9.2 million from seven active settlements over 18 years – or approximately $500,000 per year.

Maricopa County has been actively involved in litigation against pharmaceutical companies.

Tempe established its opioid response taskforce, Opioid Crisis – Tempe Innovative Solutions or OCTIS, in 2023. To develop its FY 2024-25 response plan, the taskforce drew from internal and external data and recommend strategies to end opioid misuse. This includes overdose data, opioid calls for service, existing opioid-related programs and more.

Last year Tempe Fire Medical Rescue responded to 603 calls where opioid misuse was probable. The data drives how the city allocates public safety and health resources.

Funds come through the One Arizona Distribution of Opioid Settlement Funds Agreement.

“As part of Tempe’s ongoing opioid response plan, we will continuously monitor data to ensure the city is being responsive to emerging trends and needs, and planning ahead for the future,” said Tim Burch, Community Health and Human Services director.

Tempe has led nationally and regionally by being the first city of the country to incorporate wastewater data to inform opioid service, and being the first city in Arizona to create a data dashboard to inform operational strategy

The OCTIS task force includes the City Manager’s Office, Community Health and Human Services Department, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue, Tempe Police Department, Strategic Management and Innovation Office, Information Technology Department as well as the nonprofit Tempe Community Council and Maricopa County Department of Public Health.