Gila County, Arizona, has been significantly affected by substance abuse, with a death rate due to drug overdoses of approximately 49.9 per 100,000 population, the highest rate in the state[1]. The population of Gila County has been on the decline, and the median household income has grown, indicating that the county’s economic conditions may be contributing to substance abuse[2]. Amphetamine use rates in Gila County have been reported at 165.2 per 100,000 in 2015, which is lower than the state average of 303.9 per 100,000 in 2017[3]. However, the incidence rate of opioid misuse in Gila County has consistently been higher than national and county rates[4]. The Arizona Department of Health offers a GIS interactive map to help find drop-off locations for prescription drugs[5], indicating that prescription drug abuse is also a significant problem in the county.
The commonly abused substances in Gila County include opioids, amphetamines, and prescription drugs[6]. Opioid overdose deaths in Gila County have been reported at 34.4 per 100,000 in 2021[3]. The high incidence of opioid misuse and overdose deaths in Gila County may be attributed to the county’s rural nature, limited access to healthcare facilities, and poverty rates[1]. Additionally, prescription drug abuse is prevalent in the county, with CNS depressants and opioids being the most commonly abused classes[6]. The Arizona Department of Health has reported that prescription drugs are responsible for a significant percentage of overdose deaths in the state[3].