Signs of Illicit Drug Use

Sadly, the photo above doesn’t represent an epidemic of Hershey’s Kisses lovers who throw their litter on the ground.

Pieces of foil like the one above may be a sign of illicit drug use. It’s well known from publicly-available reporting of the last two to three years that people in neighborhoods across the country are struggling with opioid use disorder and other forms of substance use disorder at staggering rates. Treatment and other services are struggling to keep pace with the need.

Syringes are an obvious sign of illicit drug use. While we have deep empathy for those battling addiction, we have a duty to our families, our neighbors, and our city to make sure that our neighborhood doesn’t become synonymous with or accepting of dangerous drugs and the other anti-social behaviors that often accompany them.

If you’re noticing these or other signs of drug use in the neighborhood or around your home, there are several options for reporting your observations to the City of Phoenix.

If you’ve found something you’re unsure about, or you’re not sure where to report your concerns, you can always share them directly with us and we will share them with the appropriate authorities. We can also notify our neighborhood patrol to help you keep an eye on a certain area or recurring issue.

Most importantly, always remember not to pick up syringes or any other litter with your bare hands. Use gloves or a trash grabber/picker.