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Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018

A team of House Democrats Thursday rolled out a legislative package to combat the state’s opioid abuse epidemic. The bills included putting addiction warning labels on prescription bottles, charging a new court fee to help smaller counties deal with the problem, and an application to the feds for more money to expand treatment, among other […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 28, 2017

The first month of “Operation Save Lives” – Jacksonville’s experimental inpatient opioid treatment program – is in the books and the results are mixed. The program, intended to address the mounting body count from the use of fentanyl and its derivatives, sees a local emergency room used as a feeder for two inpatient treatment programs, which […]

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 20, 2017

In a Jacksonville City Council committee hearing Monday morning, representatives from the city’s fire and rescue department painted a picture of the typical overdose. More than likely, he is white, male, and 33 years old. And he lives in the general area of 103rd Street on Jacksonville’s Westside — the worst side of town for […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 15, 2017

A significant group of lawmakers involved with Florida’s ongoing battle against opioid addiction are starting to grasp the big picture behind drug-related crimes. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice met Wednesday to discuss the criminal justice system’s role in fighting the opioid epidemic. Though likely not planned, the meeting took place shortly […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 14, 2017

The opioid overdose epidemic continues in Jacksonville, and a Jacksonville City Council Special Committee is still addressing the matter. Even as legislators mull a path forward on treatment, the city is also considering legal action against pharmaceutical companies — continuing a trend we are seeing nationwide. Committee Chairman Bill Gulliford told a story of a 29 […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 17, 2017

On Monday and Tuesday, Jacksonville City Council panels OK’d a resolution (2017-674) to allow the city’s general counsel to “investigate and pursue” a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers. Full Council approval will be a formality and will almost certainly be conferred next week. The resolution calls out “pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors” as potential lawsuit targets, yet […]

Jim RosicaOctober 17, 2017

Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday said she was unsure whether the country needs a ‘drug czar.’ “I don’t know,” she told reporters after a Florida Cabinet meeting. “I’m in D.C. a lot. I can tell you the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) is doing great, all the executive offices are doing great …. “Everybody works […]

Guest AuthorOctober 12, 2017

The opioid epidemic in Florida is wreaking havoc on individuals, families and communities. The negative consequences of this crisis can be seen across our state — in the health of our people, our schools, our businesses, our hospitals, our streets, our jails. Our state legislature has an opportunity right now to enhance its response to […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 3, 2017

Jacksonville City Councilman Bill Gulliford has been instrumental in spearheading Jacksonville’s response to its opioid overdose epidemic. He was successful in formulating a pilot program for in-patient treatment for addicts who are ready to accept help, and he is now chairman of a special Council committee on the opioid epidemic. As is typical with Gulliford, he […]

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On optimism and legislation: House Democrats push opioid package

Slow start for Jacksonville opioid treatment program

Warning labels for prescription opioids proposed under bill

White Male, age 33, on the Westside: Portrait of a Jacksonville opioid OD

Following disturbing drug reports, Senate workshops opioid crisis

Jax moves closer to opioid lawsuit; lawyers to be chosen in December

Jacksonville City Council to sue Big Pharma over opioid distribution

Pam Bondi: ‘I don’t know’ if we even need a ‘drug czar’

Melissa Larkin-Skinner: State resources are needed to address the opioid epidemic

Jacksonville mulls lawsuit against opioid producers