As temperatures soar to unprecedented levels across the United States, the dangerous combination of extreme heat and methamphetamine use is claiming more lives, particularly in the Southwest. On a scorching day in Phoenix this past June, two individuals—one found collapsed under a freeway bridge and another outside a business—succumbed to what experts warn is an increasingly fatal mix of heat and stimulant drugs.
A recent analysis by the Associated Press, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlights a disturbing trend: methamphetamine is now involved in nearly 20% of heat-related deaths across the U.S. In states like Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and California, meth was detected in nearly one-third of such fatalities in 2023. As a powerful stimulant, methamphetamine exacerbates the body’s response to heat, impairing the brain’s ability to regulate temperature and placing immense strain on the heart.
Bob Anderson, chief of statistical analysis at the National Center for Health Statistics, points out that while other substances like alcohol and opioids can worsen the effects of heat, meth is particularly concerning. It elevates body temperature and creates a perfect storm when combined with high environmental temperatures. Even in a year when opioid overdoses have dominated headlines, methamphetamine is proving to be deadlier in heat-related cases.
The rise in meth-related deaths coincides with the emergence of cheaper, purer synthetic methamphetamine, largely manufactured in Mexico and smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border. In Phoenix, one of the hottest cities in the country, meth was found in 75% of heat-related drug deaths in 2022. In neighboring Pima County, it accounted for a quarter of heat deaths this year. These statistics underscore the growing prevalence of the drug and its deadly interaction with record-breaking temperatures.
Phoenix, which experienced 113 consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 100°F this summer, is emblematic of the crisis. The city’s extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change, has made it increasingly perilous for those using methamphetamine. The region’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border also makes it a major hub for meth trafficking, contributing to the widespread availability of the drug.
Experts like Dr. Aneesh Narang, an emergency physician at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, have observed an alarming correlation between heatstroke cases and methamphetamine use. Narang notes that meth severely compromises the body’s natural defenses against heat, making it difficult to survive prolonged exposure to high temperatures. “All of your normal physiological ways of coping with heat are compromised with the use of methamphetamines,” he said.
Meth’s appeal, particularly among homeless populations, is linked to its low cost and potent effects. As Detective Matt Shay from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office explains, dealers frequently target homeless individuals, who are often exposed to the elements and rely on stimulants to stay awake and protect themselves from theft. “It’s a customer base that is easy to find and exploit,” he said.
The broader context of this crisis is a warming planet. This summer, which was Earth’s hottest on record, has made it easier for people to die from heat-related causes in regions like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and California’s southeastern deserts. The combination of higher average temperatures and the prevalence of meth use is proving fatal in these vulnerable areas.
Public health officials are taking steps to address the issue, but the scope of the problem is daunting. In Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, public health officials have distributed brochures warning of the risks associated with stimulant use during extreme heat. Dr. Nick Staab, assistant medical director of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, says this outreach effort aims to educate people, especially those in high-risk communities.
However, outreach alone may not be enough. Stacey Cope, director at Sonoran Prevention Works, a harm reduction nonprofit, suggests that more needs to be done to accommodate those who use drugs. Many cooling centers, designed to protect people from the heat, are not welcoming to individuals actively using substances, leaving some of the most vulnerable people without access to life-saving resources.
As extreme heat events become more frequent and severe, experts fear that the intersection of climate change and methamphetamine use will continue to take a toll, particularly on the most marginalized populations. Without significant intervention—both in terms of public health initiatives and harm reduction strategies—the deadly cycle of heat and meth use could worsen in the years to come.
