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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Nina Lakhani in Phoenix

‘A deadly combination’: excessive heat adds to Arizona opioid epidemic’s toll

A homeless encampment in Phoenix. Almost two-thirds of Arizona’s drug fatalities happen in Maricopa county where extreme heat is also playing a big role, especially among the unsheltered homeless population.
A homeless encampment in Phoenix. Almost two-thirds of Arizona’s drug fatalities happen in Maricopa county where extreme heat is also playing a big role, especially among unsheltered homeless people. Photograph: Caitlin O’Hara for the Guardian

Andy Brack was out cold with his head slumped back on the driver’s seat of a white pickup truck, a faint blue tinge around his lips. His friend, Ellen, had called 911 after the 50-year-old lost consciousness while driving to the store.

Brack had been smoking fentanyl for two days straight, according to Ellen, who managed to stop the vehicle from crashing. It was around 4.30pm and boiling outside, almost 108F (42C), and the pickup didn’t have air conditioning. She was doing CPR compressions when the paramedics arrived.

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