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Phoenix launches opioid overdose alert system and reports sharp growth in naloxone distribution
Summary
City public-health staff told the subcommittee the Phoenix Opioid Overdose Alert System launched May 1 and that naloxone kit distribution surged (5,200 kits this quarter; 38,785 since August 2023); staff cited a May 23 red alert that flagged 29 suspected overdoses in 24 hours and outlined partner response plans.
City public-health staff updated the Community Services and Education Subcommittee on June 24 about the municipal naloxone distribution program and the newly launched Phoenix Opioid Overdose Alert System.
Yanitza Soto and colleagues reported that the naloxone distribution program saw accelerated growth in the reporting quarter (February'April 2026): over 5,200 overdose-reversal kits were distributed in this quarter (a 65% increase from the prior quarter and 68% more than the same quarter last year). Since the program began in August 2023 the city has distributed 38,785 kits, and nearly 2,000 boxes of naloxone were provided to shelters and safe outdoor sites (more than 1,600 of those boxes were distributed to clients at shelter locations), the presenters said.
Launch of alert system
Kelly Kosidoy described the Phoenix Opioid Overdose Alert System, which officially launched on May 1, 2026. The system uses daily suspected-opioid-overdose data submitted by Phoenix Fire EMS (cases where naloxone was administered and the patient responded). Automated statistical spike-detection algorithms developed with academic partners flag deviations from expected baseline counts; when the system detects a spike, Office of Public Health staff receive an automatic notification and produce an alert to partners with location context, demographic breakdowns and suggested response actions.
Kosidoy described an example red-level alert on May 23 that detected 29 suspected opioid overdoses in a 24-hour period. Alerts include suggested steps for partners such as increasing naloxone distribution at target sites, coordinating outreach and sharing treatment and harm-reduction resources. "The ultimate goal of the opioid overdose alert system is saving lives by allowing us to detect these spikes and inform our partners," Kosidoy said.
Partners and response plans
The internal dashboard and alerts are shared with approved city units (police, fire, Office of Homeless Solutions and other partners). The Office of Public Health is working with Community Assistance Program and Office of Homeless Solutions on draft response plans that focus on targeted outreach, naloxone distribution and linkages to treatment. Staff said they will refine response plans with community-based organizations and external partners who work directly with people who use substances to ensure responses are appropriate to the affected population (for example, tailoring approaches when incidents primarily impact housed individuals vs. people experiencing homelessness).
Next steps and evaluation
Public Health intends to monitor and evaluate the system to assess its effectiveness and involve more community partners where feasible. Council members voiced support for the system and praised increased naloxone access and the data-driven approach.
