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Scott Declares Opioid ‘Emergency’ In Florida
May 4, 2017
Pointing to thousands of overdose deaths, Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Wednesday that said an opioid epidemic has created a “state of emergency” in Florida.
Scott’s order, and a related “public health emergency” declaration by Surgeon General Celeste Philip, came as lawmakers look to increase criminal penalties related to the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl. It also came after calls across the state for the governor to declare an emergency because of deaths linked to drugs such as fentanyl and heroin.
“I know firsthand how heartbreaking substance abuse can be to a family because it impacted my own family growing up,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “The individuals struggling with drug use are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends and each tragic case leaves loved ones searching for answers and praying for help. Families across our nation are fighting the opioid epidemic and Florida is going to do everything possible to help our communities.”
Scott’s office said the order will allow Florida to immediately draw down $27 million in federal money that can be used for prevention, treatment and recovery services. Philip’s order authorizes pharmacists to dispense the drug naloxone to emergency responders. Naloxone can be used to block the effects of opioids and prevent overdoses.
The Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also have held a series of workshops this week across the state about issues related to opioid use.
A key lawmaker Wednesday praised Scott for taking action on the issue.
“He wanted to identify that the crisis was real, and get some evidence and gather some opinions from people and not go out half-cocked on it,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who said he had met with Scott’s staff about the opioid issue. “So, that’s what he did. I think the important thing is that he has done it.”
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill (HB 477) that would impose tough criminal penalties on people who traffic in fentanyl, which is often mixed with drugs such as heroin and is one of the causes of increased overdose deaths.
The bill, in part, would create a first-degree felony offense for trafficking in fentanyl and similar drugs, with trafficking defined as involving four grams or more. The bill still needs House approval because senators made a change that would give judges some discretion in sentencing people convicted of fentanyl trafficking.
During a debate Tuesday, senators described the effects of fentanyl on their communities.
“This is a fire out of control that is deadly,” said Sen. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican who son is a sheriff’s deputy.
by The News Service of Florida
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio met recently with Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan, Pensacola Police Chief David Alexander, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward and other local officials to discuss combating the opioid crisis in Florida. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
5 Responses to “Scott Declares Opioid ‘Emergency’ In Florida”
Rodrigo Duterte seems to have the only answer to the drug trafficking problem….and the world is fighting him tooth and nail.
Drastic times must be met with drastic measures.
Unfortunately our country no longer has the stomach for real cures, we like to talk about it and condemn those who have what it takes to act.
@DB— That’s exactly right. The government pushes methadone, an old nasty drug that is in effect, synthetic heroin. However, it is way worse. The clinics pushing this drug with govt endorsement, charges $14/per day and will keep people hooked even when they try to decrease their dosage. Physicians will actually actually refuse people trying to get off of it, it’s sick. People that don’t have it become physically I’ll and crave it worse than heroin.
Let alone drug companies. I actually believe they may have a cure for cancer but make too much money treating it.
To stop this so called epidemic” just say no” thank you barry for creating the atmosphere to allow this to happen. So what is the solutio? I know let us leagleize pot. That will stop the effects of opoids. It must becausevit seems to cure everything according to the doppers.
Like cancer, there is too much money to be made by the government, the “legal” drug companies, hospitals and rehab centers for this to ever go away.
There is only one way to rid the streets of the dealers. You must learn their identity and put them out of business. Send the ones who are highest level to prisons outside the U.S. so that they’re unable to run their businesses from their cell. We’ll have to keep the stuff out of the U.S. with a wall and beefed up security.