Phoenix Mayor Gallego and leaders raise awareness about dangers of fentanyl
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and other officials convened a roundtable discussion for fentanyl awareness. Hosted by the Phoenix Union High School District, the meeting served as an opportunity to inform the public about the opioid epidemic and the dangers of drug use.
At the southern border, fentanyl seizures are up 14% from March to April.
And seizures have grown more than 400% since 2019, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Mayor Gallego spoke about the severity of fentanyl use in Phoenix.
“Our firefighters administered naloxone to 3,800 individuals last year. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, helps reverse the opioid overdose," she said.
Gallego said the impact on the city has been deadly.
“Last year, Phoenix saw 991 overdose deaths, 71% of those from fentanyl. It’s an issue that infects our entire community, not just a specific neighborhood or demographic," she said.
Over 90% of fentanyl is trafficked through cars and trucks at the ports of entry, according to CBP.
