Tucson is taking a hands-on approach to addiction treatment in Tucson’s most affected neighborhoods, connecting unhoused residents struggling with substance use to real resources, right on the streets where they live.
On Wednesday, the Tucson Police Department and city officials held a City Deployment Cleanup event along Alvernon Way, an area officers say has some of the highest concentrations of unhoused individuals in the city.
The goal, as Mayor Regina Romero put it plainly: “The goal is not to incarcerate. The goal is to find resources and solutions.”
How the Tucson Outreach Program Works
The deployment team, made up of law enforcement and social service partners, heads out to identify people who are visibly struggling.
If a criminal offense is involved, the individual appears before a judge via video link to determine next steps. From there, they are connected to a transition center for assessment.
“We will put them over to the transition center to go ahead and get assessed for services with what best suits their needs,” said Lt. Brian Corcoran, who oversees TPD’s Community Outreach and Resource Engagement (CORE) unit.
Treatment services available through the program include:
- Substance abuse rehabilitation
- Mental health counseling
- Housing assistance
These services are provided through Primavera Foundation and Pima County Justice Services, two local organizations with deep roots in Tucson’s social services network.
Signs of Addiction Among Tucson’s Unhoused Population
Substance use disorder is a major driver of homelessness in cities like Tucson. People struggling with addiction may show signs including erratic behavior, physical deterioration, disorientation or an inability to maintain stable housing or employment.
Drug use, particularly opioids, methamphetamine and alcohol can make it nearly impossible for individuals to access or sustain housing without targeted intervention.
Understanding these signs is an important first step for families, neighbors, and community members who want to help a loved one find treatment.
Funding Challenges Threaten Addiction Treatment Options
Mayor Romero acknowledged that the program faces real obstacles, including recent federal budget cuts that have reduced funding for community outreach and drug rehab programs.
“With the federal government cutting funds to be able to do programs like this, we do need investments from both Pima County and the State of Arizona,” Romero said.
Lt. Corcoran also noted the challenge of reaching a population that moves frequently.
“It’s tough. The population itself seems to move around, so once we flood an area like this they may start to vacate into other areas, and that’s when we need to reassess where we’re going,” Corcoran said.
This reflects a broader challenge in addiction treatment across Arizona, connecting people to services requires sustained, mobile and well-funded outreach, not a single cleanup event.
Finding Addiction Treatment
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction in the Tucson area, help is available. Programs like the one deployed along Alvernon Way are a start, but long-term recovery typically requires access to verified drug rehabs offering medical detox, behavioral therapy and aftercare support.
Addictions.com lists verified rehab centers in Arizona that are ready to help. Call
800-681-1058
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