In central Phoenix, Hushabye Nursery is home to babies born withdrawing from addictive substances they were exposed to in the womb. Across the country, cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome increased a startling 82% from 2010 to 2017, research shows. In Arizona, these cases increased 41% from 2017 to 2021.

Mike Ulinger, who retired after 30 years as a Phoenix firefighter, said he couldn’t go anywhere or do anything and became an alcoholic to self-treat post-traumatic stress disorder he attributes to his job.

It's an illegal marijuana knockoff that can result in seizures, psychotic episodes and other dangerous side effects, but some teenagers can't get enough of it. Despite a statewide and federal ban on synthetic marijuana, some Arizona lawmakers say the state must do more to crack down on the drug commonly known as spice.

My top priority from 1981-1985 was fighting the drug war.

Sometimes it takes extraordinary circumstances to get people to see ordinary truths. And that is the case with me.