PHOENIX (AZFamily) — July is the deadliest month for overdoses in Maricopa County, according to new data, and Phoenix firefighters say heat and substances — including alcohol and prescription medications — are a dangerous mix.
County health data show 55% of heat-related deaths last year involved drugs or alcohol. Of the 236 people who died from the combination of heat and substances, nearly all involved stimulants. Opioids accounted for less than 47% of heat-related deaths involving substances last year.
Substances can hide warning signs
Phoenix Fire Captain Mike Johnson said substances can prevent people from recognizing the signs of heat illness.
“It can really kind of mask symptoms that they’re having,” Johnson said. “They might not be realizing that they are not sweating anymore or that they’re thirsty.”
Johnson said stimulants pose a particular risk in high temperatures.
“Stimulants also really increase the internal temperature of your body,” Johnson said.
Heat stroke can set in quickly
Johnson said a person may not realize their core temperature is climbing until they are already in danger.
“Heat stroke is definitely a life-threatening emergency and it happens very quickly, especially once you start getting into that altered state,” Johnson said. “That’s heat stroke and that can be a life-threatening emergency.”
Alcohol and prescriptions also a risk
Johnson said alcohol and some blood pressure medications can also leave people vulnerable, particularly if they are not drinking enough water.
Firefighters also warned that collapsing outdoors carries an additional hazard.
“If you were to pass out in this heat, you’re not only looking at heat exhaustion, now you can be talking about burn injuries with how hot our sidewalks and roads are getting,” Johnson said.
Call 911 if someone needs help
Firefighters are urging community members to watch for people who may need assistance and to call 911 immediately.
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