Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 23, 2018

Sarasota Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is rolling out another TV ad for his re-election campaign in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. The 30-second spot, “Fighting Chance,” highlights the sixth-term congressman’s record on the opioid epidemic. The campaign said it will begin airing online immediately and will hit TV next week as part of $200,000-plus ad […]

Michael MolineMay 15, 2018

Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a racketeering lawsuit Tuesday, blaming five major pharmaceutical companies for instigating the opioid drug crisis and alleging “a campaign of misrepresentations and omissions” about the powerful painkillers to doctors and consumers. Bondi’s office filed the 54-page complaint in Pasco County, which it identified as among the state’s hardest hit areas, […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 22, 2018

Announcing a surge of 250 Drug Enforcement Agency task force officers to “places across America where the opioid crisis is at its worst,” U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions promised “to put drug traffickers right where they belong — the slammer,” and in extreme cases go as far as sentencing kingpins to death. Sessions, a former […]

Drew WilsonMarch 7, 2018

The Senate appears to be lining up behind the sole-source continuing education requirements in the opioid bill passed by the House last week, according to a newly-filed amendment. HB 21 contains a number of provisions aimed at putting a dent in the opioid epidemic, including limits on prescriptions and new reporting requirements to prevent doctor […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 25, 2018

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More than 150 mental health advocates visited the Capitol Wednesday to urge lawmakers to pass a slate of bills and approve funding requests covering a wide range of mental health issues, including the opioid epidemic. “Behavioral Health Day at the Capitol allows, peers, caregivers, friends and family to unite to talk about mental health issues […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 4, 2018

America’s growing opioid crisis has prompted the nation’s largest physician-led specialty certification group to enter the fray, armed with a new strategy to better educate medical professionals on the issue in Florida and beyond. In October 2015, the American Board of Medical Specialties – which oversees 24 Member Boards – added Addiction Medicine as a […]

Ana CeballosNovember 29, 2017

All opioid prescription containers sold at pharmacies would need red warning labels stating the addictive nature of the drug under a bill sponsored by state Rep. Joseph Geller. “With such a large portion of our citizens exposed to these prescriptions, adding these common sense protections for those receiving opioids is a small step we can […]

Peter SchorschOctober 23, 2017

Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto and Rep. Jim Boyd, both Republicans representing southwest Florida, will file bills today to combat opioid abuse in the Sunshine State by limiting first-time painkiller prescriptions to a three-day supply. The proposal mirrors one Gov. Rick Scott made earlier this year and is also similar to a proposal backed by a drug manufacturers […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 28, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott and other elected officials said this week they would look to combat the opioid epidemic plaguing Florida by limiting first-time pain pill prescriptions to a three day supply, and Wednesday the CEO of a major drug manufacturer trade group said he was on board with a similar plan. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers […]

Associated PressJuly 19, 2017

A 10-year-old boy from a drug-ridden Miami neighborhood apparently died of a fentanyl overdose last month, becoming one of Florida’s littlest victims of the opioid crisis, authorities say. But how he came into contact with the powerful painkiller is a mystery. Fifth-grader Alton Banks died June 23 after a visit to the pool in the […]

Tag: opioid crisis

New ad highlights Vern Buchanan’s record on the opioid epidemic

Pam Bondi lawsuit accuses opioid industry of racketeering

In Tallahassee, Jeff Sessions touts death penalty as option for drug traffickers

Senate keeps national accreditation requirement from House opioid bill

Mental health advocates urge lawmakers to pass slate of bills during Behavioral Health Day

American Board of Medical Specialties gears up to battle opioid crisis, including in Florida

Warning labels for prescription opioids proposed under bill

To fight opioid abuse, limit Rxs to 3 days, lawmakers say

PhRMA backs Rick Scott plan to combat opioid epidemic

Miami boy’s death shows powerful opioid’s chilling potential