Phoenix's Fentanyl Crisis: Inside the City's Struggle with Homelessness and Addiction

The City of Phoenix is grappling with a rapidly growing crisis of homelessness and drug addiction, particularly driven by the rise of fentanyl use. This long-form article takes an in-depth look at the situation on the ground, featuring perspectives from outreach workers, former addicts, and those still struggling on the streets.

The Scale of the Problem

According to recent statistics from Maricopa County:

• In September 2024, there were 9,400 actively homeless households
• This is a dramatic increase from just 3,000 in April 2020
• The number of visibly homeless people on the streets of downtown Phoenix has noticeably worsened in just the past year

These numbers paint a stark picture of a crisis that is rapidly accelerating, with no signs of slowing down.

On the Front Lines

To get a firsthand look at the situation, we joined outreach workers from the Phoenix Rescue Mission as they conducted street outreach. Some key observations:

• Encampments and groups of homeless individuals were prevalent throughout the city, including in parks, under overpasses, and behind businesses
• Many of those encountered were visibly struggling with addiction and poor health
• The outreach team offered water, hygiene supplies, socks, and information on services/shelters
• Most individuals were not interested in entering shelters or treatment programs when offered

Karen, a former addict herself who now works as an outreach coordinator, explained:

"What you see on the streets is only a small fraction of what exists. There's no triggering for me anymore - I care about the people. The drugs are just part of the bigger issue."

The Grip of Addiction

One of the biggest challenges in addressing homelessness is the powerful grip of drug addiction, particularly fentanyl. Karen shared her own experience:

"I was introduced to drugs really young. I remember feeling like it numbed the depression and anxiety. Then it just gets worse and worse. With fentanyl, it's different. People will have these serious infections but they can't really feel the pain, so they'll just stay out using."

She noted that fentanyl use really took off around the time of the pandemic, in the last 5 years. The combination of its potency, low cost, and widespread availability has created a perfect storm.

Many of those encountered on the streets were not interested in entering shelters or treatment programs, despite being offered. As Karen explained:

"A lot of times it's because new environments can be scary. And if you're deep in addiction, you're more comfortable staying in your drugs than taking that uncomfortable step to change."

Barriers to Getting Help

Even for those who want help, there can be significant barriers:

• Many are attached to their possessions and pets, which shelters often can't accommodate
• Some have outstanding warrants or legal issues they fear addressing
• The grip of addiction is incredibly powerful and hard to break
• Mental health issues and trauma often compound substance abuse problems

As one homeless man named AJ explained: "I don't think I'm ready at this point in time. But when I am ready, you guys will probably be the first ones to know."

The Phoenix Rescue Mission

One organization working to address this crisis is the Phoenix Rescue Mission. They operate a comprehensive program that includes:

• Street outreach teams
• Emergency shelter
• Long-term residential recovery programs
• Job training and placement
• Family reunification services

Their women's campus provides a peaceful environment for recovery, with amenities like:

• Shared rooms (3 women per room)
• Childcare facilities
• Walking paths and green spaces
• Communal dining

The program takes a long-term approach, with many residents staying for a year or more. This gives people time to truly stabilize, address underlying issues, and build a foundation for lasting recovery.

Success Stories

Despite the immense challenges, there are success stories that provide hope. Karen herself is a graduate of the Phoenix Rescue Mission program and has now been off the streets for over 6 years.

Another team member shared: "I'm coming up on six years off the streets as well. When I was sitting in county jail doing a year, they had a program called Bridge. They would send people in to teach a class and tell people about the mission. When I got out I went there and ended up staying two years."

We also met Erica, who had just entered the women's program the day before:

"I have to reunify with my baby and it was becoming hard doing this out there. Yesterday was my first day clean. I'll be here for a year. It feels different here - there's a lot of positive people, not negative like other places."

The Road Ahead

While organizations like the Phoenix Rescue Mission are doing vital work, the scale of the problem continues to grow. Some key challenges that need to be addressed:

• The need for more long-term treatment options, as short 30-90 day programs are often insufficient for deep-rooted addiction
• Addressing the underlying drivers of homelessness like lack of affordable housing, mental health issues, and poverty
• Finding ways to intervene earlier before people end up on the streets
• Developing policies that balance compassion with accountability

As one outreach worker noted: "Our rescues that happen year-over-year play a wonderful role in getting that number down, but there's things outside of our control that continue to happen in the world around us that put more and more people in vulnerable situations."

Conclusion

The fentanyl and homelessness crisis in Phoenix is a complex, multifaceted issue with no easy solutions. However, the work of organizations like the Phoenix Rescue Mission shows that recovery and transformation are possible with the right support and resources.

Addressing this crisis will require a coordinated effort from government, non-profits, healthcare providers, and the broader community. It needs to be one of the top priorities for the city and the country as a whole.

While the current trajectory is alarming, there is still hope. Each person who finds their way off the streets and into recovery represents a life transformed and a step towards healing for the entire community.

As we reflect on the stories and experiences shared in this article, may it inspire greater awareness, compassion, and action to address this pressing issue facing our cities and nation.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFytnRNZQn8