POLL: Arizona Voters Demand Stronger Action on Fentanyl Crisis — Support Trafficking Penalties and Treatment

Arizona Voters Demand Stronger Action on Fentanyl Crisis — Support Trafficking Penalties and Treatment

84% Call It Serious; Voters Back Both Tougher Penalties and Expanded Treatment

PHOENIX (July 11th, 2024) – Arizona voters view the fentanyl and opioid crisis as among the state's most urgent public health emergencies, with 84% calling it a serious or very serious problem in their community, according to a new AZPOP survey from OH Predictive Insights. Arizona sits at the center of the fentanyl crisis — the state's proximity to Mexico makes it a primary entry point for fentanyl smuggled into the United States, and overdose deaths in Arizona have increased 340% over the past decade.

The 84% seriousness rating crosses all partisan lines: Republicans (88%), Independents (85%), and Democrats (80%) are essentially unified in their assessment of the problem's severity. This bipartisan consensus creates a rare political opportunity for cross-partisan policy action — though the parties diverge significantly on the appropriate response.

The survey finds strong support for a dual-track approach combining law enforcement and treatment. Mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl trafficking draw 79% support — bipartisan, with 88% of Republicans and 68% of Democrats in support. Expanded access to addiction treatment services earns 77% support — also bipartisan, with 71% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats in favor. The overlap between tough-on-trafficking and supportive-of-treatment reflects a public health approach that distinguishes between dealers and addicts.

"Arizona voters don't see this as either/or," says OHPI Chief of Research Mike Noble. "They want traffickers prosecuted aggressively and they want people struggling with addiction to have access to treatment. Those are compatible positions, and finding that common ground is the political opportunity."

Naloxone (Narcan) availability draws 74% support for expanded community access, including 65% of Republicans — a finding that reflects the recognition that overdose reversal saves lives regardless of circumstances. Safe syringe exchange programs are more divisive: 52% support, 43% oppose.

The survey also found that 71% of Arizona voters personally know someone who has struggled with opioid or fentanyl addiction — a finding that explains the depth of public concern and the bipartisan nature of support for comprehensive solutions.

Arizona's border positioning makes it uniquely vulnerable to fentanyl trafficking from Mexico, and the issue intersects with immigration and border security in ways that create complex political dynamics. Voters strongly support (82%) devoting significant federal resources to fentanyl interdiction at the southern border.

Methodology: AZPOP conducted July 6–8, 2024. n=600 Arizona Registered Voters. ±4.0% MOE.