Yes.

In December 2025, the Phoenix City Council passed an ordinance making it a misdemeanor to invite, promote, sponsor or conduct medical treatment or harm reduction services in parks without prior authorization from the city. The measure specifically prohibits needle exchanges and the distribution of harm reduction kits, which include items like sterile syringes, alcohol wipes and drug-testing supplies.

The ordinance makes exceptions for first responders, emergency aid situations and distribution of naloxone. The ACLU of Arizona nonetheless condemned it, saying the ordinance criminalizes aid and health care outreach and will worsen health outcomes for vulnerable Phoenix communities.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

The Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs, or quick-response fact checks, about trending claims relating to Arizona.

Sources

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The Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting is partnering with Gigafact to produce timely fact briefs, or quick-response fact checks, about trending claims relating to Arizona.

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Tallulah Anne is a fact-checker for the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, working in partnership with Gigafact. Originally from Lewes, England, Tallulah recently earned her bachelor’s degree from ASU’s Cronkite School of Journalism. During her time at the Cronkite School, Tallulah led a national, year-long investigation at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, freelanced for the The New York Times and contributed to local news outlets across the state. She is passionate about accountability reporting, survivor-centered storytelling, and building trust through transparency and documentation.