Gray Rohrer
More than $200 million from a multistate settlement in a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers could soon be flowing into Florida’s opioid abuse prevention and treatment programs, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
“These were companies that knew that these were very highly addictive medications and they were putting that out there without doing what they needed to do to protect consumers,” DeSantis said at an event in Destin.
Florida’s allotment from the settlement is $205.7 million. Nearly half of the funds under DeSantis’ plan, about $92.5 million, would be used for treatment services, with $38.4 million going toward prevention programs.
Another $10.2 million would expand the Office of Opioid Recovery, $11.3 million would be used to integrate state data systems on crime, overdoses and treatment metrics, $25.3 million is for recovery and peer support and $26.8 million would help expand the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) network currently operating in 12 counties.
In addition to those funds, local governments throughout the state will receive $135.4 million as part of the settlement.
DeSantis pointed to the 107,000 overdoses nationwide in 2021, with 75% of them related to opioids, to show the urgency of the prevention and treatment efforts.
Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris, who oversees the CORE network, said its expansion is critical in helping people recover from addiction.
“We will save lives because of all of these efforts,” Harris said.
Part of the prevention effort includes an education program in schools led by First Lady Casey DeSantis called “The Facts. Your Future.”
“It’s like ‘Just Say No,’ but it’s really ‘Just say no and here’s why,’” Casey DeSantis said.
The program includes testimonials from Floridians who’ve lost family members to overdoses. Paula Fredrick’s daughter, Amy, died of an accidental overdose in March 2021 after taking a drug laced with fentanyl.
“She had no idea she wouldn’t wake up the next morning,” Fredrick said. “This drug crisis does not discriminate. We’ve got to stop it.”
8 comments
Mac Wiseman
February 17, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Yet another homerun by Desantis!
Meanwhile Balloon Boy Biden is calling for an aid to change his “Grampers” adult diapers.
Elliott Offen
February 17, 2023 at 7:07 pm
👆 Not old enough to be on the internet. Shameful that they don’t remove such nonsense from these sub-apes. Should only be humans allowed to comment here.
Mac Wiseman
February 17, 2023 at 8:27 pm
Smelliot my Man !!!!!
Mother Superior Slapshot, Bishop Hedman Academy
February 19, 2023 at 3:15 pm
My goodness, Mister Mac Wiseman, you must have a cruel grandmother or something along those lines. Here is yet another of your anti-elderly attempted jokes, this one about diapers. Next you seal your persona by following up so bravely with your juvenile “Smelliot” attempt. And that persona (as you are seen in the eyes of others, did that help?): you know, either your name really is Wiseman or you made that up, but in either case the name presents layers of irony that I could peel back like an onion, were I given to peeling onions — or if I thought you could be made to understand irony.
Mother Superior Slapshot, Bishop Hedman Academy
February 19, 2023 at 3:28 pm
Oh Mister Mac Wiseman, forgive me for not saying something positive and for forgetting to offer a blessing. So, here I go. I am quite sure there is something positive to say for you, but you must offer some clues, bless your heart.
Mac Wiseman
February 19, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Thanks Mom I’m doing just fine since you kicked me out of the Bishop Hedman Academy. I still love you and want to come home. And Mom will you please tell Smelliot Offen to quit picking on me? Thanks Mom.
Renee T
February 17, 2023 at 6:21 pm
I am very happy to hear this. More knowledge and treatment is long overdue in Florida.
I have a Daughter who passed away last year from fentanyl. It’s extremely painful
James C.
February 19, 2023 at 3:18 pm
It is indeed good news, and the sooner implemented the better. I can’t imagine how difficult this subject is for you, and I thank you for sharing your experience here.
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