Rising Temperatures and Methamphetamine Create Lethal Combination in the U.S..

Heat-related deaths involving methamphetamine are increasing, particularly in the Southwest, due to climate change and drug availability.

Methamphetamine is a factor in about one in five heat-related deaths in recent years, with higher prevalence in Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and California.
The stimulant properties of meth increase body temperature and impair heat regulation, exacerbating the effects of extreme heat.
Phoenix and Las Vegas have experienced record-breaking heat, with Phoenix enduring triple-digit temperatures for 113 consecutive days.
Public health data from Maricopa County shows meth was involved in three-quarters of drug-related heat deaths last year.
Efforts to mitigate risks include distributing informational brochures in cooling centers, though access remains a challenge for drug users.