Blog 5: Tackling Substance Use in Arizona: Insights from a Key Policymaker
- Shelby shinn
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Substance use and overdose prevention continue to be pressing public health challenges in Arizona. As a DNP student passionate about improving care access and outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders, I had the opportunity to interview a state representative, a policymaker at the forefront of shaping drug prevention and harm reduction policies in our state.
Our conversation shed light on how public health data, community collaboration, and forward-thinking legislation are shaping Arizona’s approach to substance use. Here are the highlights from our discussion.
Public Health Data Drives Policy
Q: How does your office utilize public health data to shape legislation around substance use prevention and intervention? Are there specific data trends in Arizona that have influenced your policy priorities?
When asked how their office uses public health data to shape legislation, they emphasized the importance of real-time, reliable information.
A: "We rely heavily on data from ADHS, the CDC, and local public health departments. These numbers guide our priorities. For example, the spike in fentanyl-related deaths—especially among teens—was a wake-up call that we needed to act fast and rethink our prevention efforts.”
Data trends like rising overdose deaths and the growing impact of synthetic opioids have fueled Arizona’s policy push toward earlier intervention and more robust harm reduction.
Embracing Harm Reduction: Naloxone and Syringe Access
Q: Arizona has seen increasing support for harm reduction strategies like naloxone distribution and safe syringe programs. What is your position on these strategies, and how are we implementing or confronting them in our state?
Arizona has made notable strides in harm reduction, and they are an advocate for expanding these efforts.
A: “I’m a strong supporter of strategies like naloxone distribution and syringe programs. They save lives—period. We’ve expanded naloxone access through standing pharmacy orders, but stigma still creates barriers in some communities.”
While naloxone distribution has grown, challenges remain in reaching certain populations. Continued public education is key to increasing acceptance and usage of harm reduction tools.
Collaboration Across Sectors is Essential
Q: What role do partnerships between public health, law enforcement, education, and healthcare sectors play in crafting and executing policies for preventing drug overdoses? How can these collaborations be strengthened?
They were clear: no single sector can solve the overdose crisis alone.
A: “Public health, law enforcement, education, and healthcare each bring something critical to the table. Our best programs are collaborative—like the task forces in Maricopa and Pima Counties.”
Strengthening these partnerships requires stable funding, improved data sharing, and inclusive policy development that actively engages stakeholders from all sectors.
Funding the Future of Prevention and Treatment
Q: Do you believe current funding for substance use prevention and treatment programs in Arizona is sufficient? What opportunities exist for increasing investment in evidence-based solutions?
On the topic of funding, they acknowledged that Arizona’s current investment falls short.
A: “We need more long-term funding. Right now, many programs rely on short-term grants or federal funds. We’re working on legislation that would create a permanent state fund for evidence-based substance use prevention and treatment.”
The recent opioid settlement funds and federal grants represent an opportunity to invest strategically and sustainably in programs that are already showing results.
Addressing Rural and Underserved Community Gaps
Q: Many rural and underserved communities in Arizona lack adequate treatment resources. How do we work to address disparities in access to care for overdose prevention and substance use treatment?
One of the greatest challenges in Arizona is the lack of access to treatment in rural and tribal communities.
A: “Telehealth helped during COVID, but it’s not enough—especially where broadband access is limited. We need mobile treatment units, more rural clinics, and incentives for providers to serve these communities.”
The policymaker also highlighted the importance of culturally competent care and hiring from within communities to build trust and engagement.
The Role of Advanced Practice Nurses in Policy and Practice
As a DNP student, I was eager to learn how nurse practitioners can contribute to policy change. The policymaker had a clear and encouraging message:
“Nurse practitioners are uniquely positioned to lead. I’ve seen NPs successfully run MAT programs, lead community education efforts, and advocate for change at the policy level. Your training gives you the tools to be both caregivers and changemakers.”
She encouraged advanced practice nurses to stay informed, speak up, and connect with legislators who are shaping public health laws.
Looking Ahead: Hope on the Horizon
Q: What future legislation or initiatives are you most hopeful about in reducing drug-related harm and improving outcomes for Arizonans?
When asked what upcoming legislation they were most hopeful about, the policymaker shared several promising initiatives:
Expanding medication-assisted treatment (MAT) access in jails and prisons
Creating a statewide overdose fatality review team
Integrating substance use education into school health programs
Funding youth mentoring and early intervention programs
“There’s still a lot of work to do, but we’re moving in the right direction. We just need to keep the momentum going.”
Final Thoughts
My conversation with the AZ policymaker left me feeling inspired and hopeful. While Arizona faces serious challenges when it comes to substance use and overdose prevention, it's clear that data-informed policy, cross-sector collaboration, and community-centered care are at the core of lasting solutions.
As a future DNP, I’m even more committed to playing a role in shaping policies that make a difference, especially for those in underserved and high-risk communities.
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Hi Shelby!
Thanks for sharing this interview with a policymaker! I like how you wove in your own words throughout the questions and answers and included infographics; it helped solidify my understanding of the topics you discussed. I appreciated how you touched on rural communities. In this article by Meyerson et al. (2024), they also emphasized the lack of access for rural communities in Arizona. I was also inspired by how nurse practitioners can make a difference by being part of the solution. Meyerson et al. (2024) also mentioned how the public list of providers of medication for opioid use disorders (MOUD) is not actually accurate, and the active population of MOUD providers is smaller than surmised. The authors state,…