Heat deaths are potentially related to drug use, non-profit reports

According to the non-profit Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI), heat deaths this year are potentially caused by drug use. CBI is raising the alarm as Maricopa County has seen a rise in heat-related deaths.

As of July 6, 2024, Maricopa County confirmed 14 heat-related deaths so far in 2024. Nine of the 14 are heat-caused and five of the 14 are heat-contributed. There are 234 deaths under investigation. At this time last year, there were 12 confirmed heat-related deaths and 106 under investigation.

Reps from CBI, a behavioral health organization that runs several shelters and crisis response programs, report they have seen an increase in methamphetamine use with the populations they serve.

Methamphetamine raises the heart rate, while increasing the body temperature and while reducing thirst. It also alleviates the feeling of overheating, so when it’s combined with Arizona’s scorching summer weather, just a small amount of meth can be lethal.

Stephanie Siete, Public Information Officer at Community Bridges, Inc., joined “Arizona Horizon” to provide more insight on this situation.

CBI partners with the City of Phoenix to try and provide permanent supportive housing opportunities. The sources could be found on the CBI website ot by calling 988 or 211 for crisis services.

Meth is on the rise again as a popular drug mainly due to how inexpensive and how accessible it is. It’s also popular amongst unhoused individuals due to it keeping them focused and awake and able to protect their belongings. The side effects then worsen with staying awake and lead to hallucinations, being delirious and having panic attacks.

“We have a great relationship at Community Bridges with the City of Phoenix, so there’s a lot of collaborative partnerships out there trying to provide permanent supportive housing for people, people need to know there is help available,” said Siete.