MAYOR STANTON WRITES…
Explore The Magic Of The Garden This Season
14
12.17
Around the country and in in our own community, more families than ever before are confronting the tragic realities of drug addiction. Because of the nation’s opioid epidemic, drug overdoses are the leading cause of death of Americans under 50 years old, and it’s tearing families apart. Opioids have created the deadliest MAYOR drug crisis in the nation’s history, and City of Phoenix it’s hitting Arizona especially hard. In 602.262.7111 fact, opioid-related deaths in our state www.phoenix.gov are occurring at a rate nearly double compared to last year. In the last four and a half months alone, at least 564 Arizonans have died a suspected opioid-related death. That’s a tragedy, and a public health crisis. This is a crisis that didn’t have to happen – and it’s a direct result of how drug companies engaged in fraudulent marketing to minimize the risks associated with opioids, including their highly addictive nature. As a result, when many fathers, mothers, sons and daughters were prescribed what seemed like safe prescription painkillers after a car accident or minor surgery, they were put not on a road to recovery, but on a path to addition. For many drug companies, profits came before people. The burden placed on taxpayers has been immense. The White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates that the cost of the opioid crisis was $504 billion in 2015 alone – and the crisis is getting worse. The strain in Phoenix is real too. Overdoses are so common that every Phoenix Fire Department engine and rescue vehicle carries doses of naloxone, an opioid antidote – and overdoses that require an ambulance trip are happening more frequently than ever before. Police detectives and patrol officers experience additional demands in response to opioidrelated calls, and taxpayers are paying additional jail costs. The crisis is creating new threats to our neighborhoods and even contributing to the City’s homelessness challenges. Phoenix is taking action. Earlier this month, the City Council approved a plan put forward by myself and Councilwomen Thelda Williams and Debra Stark to take legal action against the drug companies and distributors who created this crisis. They must be held accountable. Not only do we have a moral obligation to act, but I believe that the resources recovered from this action can better equip first responders and neighborhoods with the tools they need to respond to the crisis, as well as help those suffering from addiction. Although many cities across the country are taking this battle to court, Phoenix is the first in Arizona, and I’m hopeful that our approach will encourage others to take action as well. We can’t solve this crisis alone – but if we work together, we can turn the tide and give Arizona families confronting this epidemic the help they need.
Photo: Adam Rodriguez
Serving the Community Since 2002
By Mayor Greg Stanton
Desert Botanical Garden welcomes residents and visitors to its iconic holiday event – Las Noches de las Luminarias – which runs through December 30. The Garden will be aglow for 21 magical evenings as guests experience the beauty of more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags, thousands of white twinkle lights and dramatic desert views. As an exciting addition to this year’s event, visitors will experience the bold, monumental sculptures of Japanese-American artist Jun Kaneko, which will be on display throughout Garden trails. Tickets are on sale at www.dbg.org or by calling 480.941.1225. Throughout the evening, guests will have the chance to experience musical performances by some of the Valley’s most popular bands and performers, including Mariachi Pasion and Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli, Mother Road Trio, Run Boy Run, Salt River Brass Quintet, Simply Three, The Sugar Thieves, The Sahnas Brothers, Traveler featuring Scott Jeffers and more than half a dozen hand bell groups from across the Valley. Other evening entertainment includes Liberty Wildlife, Yellowbird/Duncan family performances and cowboy and cowgal poets and musicians. A sumptuous buffet dinner is available at an additional cost from Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events, and the Garden’s Patio Café will be open for a la carte items. Buffet meal tickets are $22 for adults
Run Boy Run is just one of the many groups performing at the 2017 Las Noches de las Luminaria.
and $12 for children 12 and under. Gourmet s’mores by a fire pit, boutique wines, cocoa and cider will be available for purchase. In addition, Gertrude’s restaurant will be open. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 480.719.8600 or visiting www. gertrudesrestaurant.net. The Garden Shop will also be open each night of Luminaria and is the ideal place to find desert-inspired gifts for the holiday season. Desert Botanical Garden is located at 1201 North Galvin Parkway in Phoenix. Visit www.dbg. org/luminaria for additional information.