Arizona Experiencing Increase in Illicit Fentanyl Exposure

Millennium Health Releases Emerging Threat Intelligence™ Report to Help Prevent Opioid Overdoses

Millennium Health announced today that illicit fentanyl positivity in Arizona increased by 261% in patient samples from substance use disorder treatment practices tested during the first half of 2022 compared to 2019. The company released its analysis of urine drug test (UDT) results to help raise community awareness and education.

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Arizona saw a 260% increase in fentanyl positivity in the first half of 2022 compared to all of 2019 based on real-time analysis of urine drug test results by Millennium Health. (Graphic: Business Wire)

A dramatic increase in drug overdose deaths is being reported across the U.S. According to the CDC, Arizona overdose deaths increased over 43% between 2019 and 2021 compared to a 51% increase nationwide.¹ Contributing to these deaths is the unsuspected presence of illicit fentanyl in counterfeit pills and other substances, such as cocaine.²

A previous study by Millennium Health published in JAMA Network Open found that UDT results were highly correlated with mortality rates at national, state, and county levels.³ Reporting on UDT results showing increased positivity for fentanyl may help sound an alert sooner and save lives

“We have already seen too many Arizona families lose loved ones to drugs. Our goal is to work hand-in-hand with public health and safety authorities, health care providers, and community organizations to proactively address drug exposures and help prevent drug overdose deaths,” said Angela Huskey, PharmD, CPE, Chief Clinical Officer at Millennium Health.

Additional information regarding real-time substance use trends is available here.

About Millennium Health

Millennium Health is an accredited specialty laboratory providing medication monitoring via definitive urine and oral fluid drug tests to support improved clinical decision-making as part of treatment for millions of Americans with chronic pain, mental illness, substance use disorders, and other health conditions. Drug testing is used to obtain objective information about patients’ recent use of prescription medications and/or illicit drugs and helps monitor the effectiveness of treatment plans. We also conduct real-time tracking of emerging drug use trends to help researchers, public health officials, and policymakers address the significant increase in drug overdose deaths.

References

1. Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts. National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm. Accessed October 2022.
2. US Drug Enforcement Administration. One Pill Can Kill. DEA reveals criminal drug networks are flooding the U.S with deadly fentanyl. https://www.dea.gov/onepill. Accessed April 2022.
3. Whitley P, LaRue L, Fernandez SA, et al. Analysis of Urine Drug Test Results From Substance Use Disorder Treatment Practices and Overdose Mortality Rates, 2013-2020. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(6):e2215425.

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