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Pima County officials hosting news conference

TUCSON, ARIZONA – Sept. 26, 2022 – Pima County officials will host a news conference on Wednesday, Sept. 28 to discuss opportunities for potentially reducing the unprecedented number of drug-related deaths over the past two years.

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover will join Sharon Bronson, Chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and Dr. Francisco Garcia, Deputy County Administrator and Chief Medical Officer, for the news conference, which will begin at 10 a.m. in the Copper Room at the Old Pima County Courthouse at 115 N. Church Ave. in downtown Tucson.

The news conference will focus on how Pima County’s estimated $48.5 million local share of the opioid settlement with pharmaceutical companies and distributors can be used to address the ongoing epidemic.

The first installment of $1.5 million from the opioid settlement was received in early September, with the remainder of the funds scheduled to be distributed over the next 18 years.

The event also will premiere a public awareness campaign intended to prevent overdose deaths.

The Pima County Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and Tucson Police, will launch the “Make the Call,” campaign to educate Pima County residents on steps that can help prevent drug deaths when an overdose is happening.

A bilingual Public Service Announcement and associated outreach will encourage the public to call 911 immediately when witnessing a possible overdose understanding that Arizona law protects them from prosecution for personal drug and paraphernalia possession.

Additionally, the campaign promotes awareness of the availability of free Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose if administered quickly.

Information also will be shared about the approved uses of the funds from the opioid settlement, which includes public awareness campaigns and other preventative and treatment initiatives to reduce the number of drug overdoses in Pima County.

Laura Conover

Laura Conover

Pima County Attorney

Media Contacts

Shawndrea Thomas | 520.724.5571
Tony Gallego | 520.724.4170

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