Despite intensive efforts by lawmakers, health care providers, the criminal justice system and other stakeholders, Arizona appears to be losing the battle to stem the rising number of opioid overdose deaths.

The special primary election in Arizona's 8th Congressional District was decided last night, and the result was surprising to some politicos.

Every day since 17 students and faculty were gunned down in a Florida high school, Arizona’s Democratic legislators have pleaded with their Republican colleagues to do something, anything, to make sure such a mass shooting never happens again.

Opponents of the bill said the Good Samaritan law was designed to help save lives and placing a cap on the number of times someone could call 911 without consequences would discourage people from calling.

A Republican-backed bill seeks to amend the Good Samaritan law in Gov. Doug Ducey’s recently-passed, wide-ranging, opioids law.

In reality, the most effective treatment modality is a combination of many treatments tailored to each individual’s needs. However, it is imperative, in the midst of this epidemic, that we base our decisions on facts and evidence rather than on philosophies, vested business interests, anecdotal evidence or personal experiences. Only then will we be able to move the needle in this arduous fight.

The special legislative session on opioids is over, and now, it's time to move on. But that can be easier said than done.

Most lawmakers, not involved in the drafting, saw the first version of the measure when it hit their desks Monday night.

State lawmakers voted late Thursday to adopt changes in laws on opioids despite what some said are flaws and concerns by others that the plan won't do much of anything to deal with the drug abuse epidemic.

Earlier this week, Gov. Doug Ducey stood before a remarkable assembly of lawmakers from the majority and minority caucuses and stakeholders from corrections, faith communities, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and all points in between as he called a special session to address the opioid addiction crisis in Arizona.