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Opioid overdoses in Arizona spiked during March, the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic, and hit a high of 500 in August. Advocates worry that the epidemic, involving both prescription and illicit opioids, is both aggravated by pandemic conditions and masked by them.

With focus on COVID-19, experts fear opioid crisis may worsen unseen

Local and national experts say a growing number of opioid overdoses and deaths is being overlooked.

Laura Conover, the Democratic nominee for Pima County Attorney, interviews with Arizona 360 host Lorraine Rivera on August 18, 2020.

Laura Conover on reforming the Pima County Attorney’s Office

The Democratic nominee runs unopposed on November's ballot.

Drug paraphernalia confiscated from a man stopped by the Tucson Police Department's deflection unit on March 10, 2020.

UA professor: Pandemic fueling rise in substance misuse, relapses

A discussion with Todd Vanderah, director of the UA's Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center.

Fentanyl pills and packages of meth seized by the Pima County Sheriff's Department. March 2019.

Pima County deputies seizing more fentanyl pills

The department's Border Interdiction Unit focuses on stopping smugglers on the county's interstates and highways.

Fentanyl pills seized by the Pima County Sheriff's Department. March 2019.

Arizona’s opioid epidemic under COVID-19

Arizona 360 looks at how the state's ongoing opioid crisis has developed during the pandemic.

Fentanyl deaths rising in Pima County

32 people have died so far this year.

Chronic pain patients affected by opioid crisis

CDC guidelines cut back on prescriptions.

Tucson Police officer Chris Ciarvella speaks to a man about the department's Deflection Program that allows officers to take people to treatment for drug-related crimes instead of arresting them. On March 10, 2020, Ciarvella stopped the man while responding to a shoplifting call and discovered he had drug paraphernalia. The man accepted the offer to enroll in treatment.

Tucson Police program offers drug treatment for some instead of arrest

Arizona 360 sees how the program is implemented with the department's Substance Use Resource Team.

Image released by the DEA in September 2018 of blue pills the agency says are fentanyl disguised as oxycodone.

Overdose prevention specialist speaks to UA students

"Understand that you are a person who is using drugs and I'm trying to keep you safe."

Vials of naloxone, which can be used to counter the effects of an opioid overdose.

Some pushing for wider distribution of opioid-overdose antidote

With hundreds of overdoses so far this year, law enforcement and health workers are using naloxone to save lives.

The Arizona State Legislature in Phoenix.

Push to decriminalize clean needle exchanges in Arizona back in legislature

A discussion with Arizona Republic health reporter Stephanie Innes.

The Pima County Attorney's Office in downtown Tucson.

Diversion programs aimed at lowering drug-related incarcerations in Pima County

The county attorney's office says its approach is unique in Arizona.

Mohab Ibrahim wondered if the green of parks could be why they seem to be effective at soothing headaches.

How green light might help pain sufferers wary of opioid addiction

A UA scientist is researching how the color green can be used to help manage chronic pain.

Researchers say the brain causes opioid medication users to sense pain relief in a specific way.

Novel or familiar: A conversation about drug addiction and the brain

Researchers are seeking a better understanding of compulsive behavior on a cellular level.

Many people rely on opioids to manage chronic pain.

Arizona Spotlight Special: Arizona Addicted

Tearing down the stigma that surrounds opioid addiction with stories from Arizonans who have lived the experience, and found the road to recovery.

UA researcher John Streicher studies how opioids work in the brain in order to develop nonaddictive painkillers.

Scientist exploring how intermittent fasting might prevent addiction

If fasting has the same effect on humans as it does on mice, John Streicher says it could be a way to help prevent opioid addiction.

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