SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Sanford Monday morning, where he signed two bills to help fight the opioid epidemic.
According to DeSantis, over 100,000 Americans per year have died due to fentanyl.
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Senate Bill 718 increases sentencing for dealers who are convicted of putting fentanyl on the streets.
The bill will also provide criminal penalties for any adult who “unlawfully possesses” specified controlled substances and recklessly exposes a first responder to such substances. Any overdose or serious bodily injury to the first responder caused by fentanyl will be processed as a second-degree felon, DeSantis said.
“Because of the Biden administration’s unwillingness to secure the southern border, law enforcement officers are encountering fentanyl at alarming rates,” added DeSantis. “I’m signing legislation today to keep officers safe on the job, and to further combat the opioid epidemic.”
DeSantis also signed Senate Bill 66 to designate June 6 as “Revive Awareness Day,” which will encourage the Florida Department of Health to hold events to raise awareness of the dangers of opioid overdose and usage.
DeSantis confirmed that there was a nine percent decrease from December 2022 to December 2023 in fentanyl-related deaths.
In an effort to combat the epidemic, he said that his administration used $205.7 million from the Opioid Settlement Agreement to treat and prevent opioid addiction.
Last August, the state announced the launch of the “Core Network,” which is an initiative to establish a coordinated system of care for those seeking treatment for opioid use disorder.
The Core Network has joined county healthcare partners and emergency medical services to ensure that people have access to 24-hour care.
DeSantis said that the network is expected to expand from 12 to 17 counties in Florida by the end of the year.
“Florida will continue to lead the way in law and order,” said DeSantis after signing the bills. “We’re going to continue to make Florida stronger and safer.”
DeSantis was joined by Florida Department of Health Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris.
“Opioid addiction has been a scourge in the lives of too many Floridians and too many Americans around the country,” said Ladapo. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the support of our legislators, we are continuing to take steps to address this human tragedy. CORE’s expansion will support and treat more Floridians and serve as a model for states around the country.”
“Over the last year, health officials have distributed over 400,000 lifesaving kits to help fight the opioid epidemic,” according to Harris.
Local 10 viewers can watch the press conference here: