Tucson, Arizona Development News

Tucson Council Reviews Fentanyl Crisis Initiatives, Safer Center Successes

The City of Tucson council addressed the fentanyl and opioid public health crisis, highlighting the progress of various initiatives funded by opioid settlement money. The Safer Center, a low-barrier treatment facility, has shown a 96% referral rate for continued treatment. The council discussed investing opioid settlement funds into the city-owned Desert Cove residential facility as a recovery center. Various city departments and partners, including TPD, Pima County Justice Services, and outreach teams, are actively working on street outreach, care coordination, and diversion programs. Grantees presented their Q1 results, detailing progress in youth prevention, peer support, transitional support, and safer center operations. The report also touched upon data trends in overdose deaths, noting a decrease in opioid-related deaths but an increase in poly-substance overdoses, particularly involving meth and cocaine.