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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 […]

Terry RoenJuly 27, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott joined local law enforcement and legislative officials Thursday to ceremonially sign a bill that brings stiffer penalties for dealers of synthetic opioid drugs and fentanyl. The bill cuts through the bureaucracy and allows state officials to immediately draw more than $27 million in federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Health […]

Associated PressJuly 18, 2017

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Prosecutors in Florida believe a 10-year-old boy who died with the painkiller fentanyl in his system is among the state’s youngest victims of the opioid crisis. Preliminary toxicology tests show Alton Banks had fentanyl in his system when he collapsed and died at his home on June 23, the Miami Herald reported. Health officials say […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2017

The skinny: A bill that got pilloried while making its way through committees — $1.5M for a six-month opioid treatment program — passed the Jacksonville City Council Tuesday night. The vote: 16-1, with Danny Becton as the no vote … after a lot of noise and drama, documented below. But as in committees, discussion was robust at […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 19, 2017

Jacksonville’s opioid crisis, as is the case around the country, is taking lives and resources from the budget all at once. Is a turning point imminent? Months back, Councilman Bill Gulliford began sounding the alarm about the increased casualty rate and the increased burden on emergency services from the crisis. Multiple meetings followed, then a bill […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 30, 2017

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson visited Jacksonville Tuesday afternoon, meeting with doctors at UF Health Jacksonville’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to discuss the ever-increasing problem of newborns addicted to opioids. The issue is an especial challenge at UF Health – the sole “safety-net” hospital in Northeast Florida, where the vast majority of patients are either on Medicaid or […]

Associated PressMay 4, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Wednesday to combat opioid abuse in the state, where he said the number of overdose deaths has reached epidemic proportions. Scott’s executive order will free up nearly $30 million in federal funds for prevention, treatment and recovery services. And it comes as a series of workshops […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 17, 2017

Jacksonville City Councilman Bill Gulliford sounded the alarm about the city’s opioid overdose crisis a few months back, and has mobilized city and outside resources in a fight to stem the epidemic of avoidable deaths. In March and April, Gulliford scheduled well-publicized meetings to discuss what could be done to stem the tide. Now, the next […]

Florence SnyderApril 12, 2017

When Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi finally got around to talking about Florida’s opioid crisis, the hot air was suffocating. In parts of Florida, opioids have overtaken homicides and DUIs as a cause of very premature and utterly unnecessary death. That is not breaking news to anyone who has been paying even […]

Tag: opioid

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

Jacksonville mulls lawsuit against opioid producers

Rick Scott ceremonially signs legislation to fight opioid abuse

Officials: Boy, 10, among youngest victims of opioid crisis

Jax City Council greenlights opioid treatment pilot program

Is a turning point imminent for Jacksonville’s opioid crisis?

In Jacksonville, Bill Nelson takes aim at opioid addiction among newborns

Florida bolsters response to opioid-addiction crisis

Jax Councilman to Governor: Declare ‘opioid emergency’ now!

Florence Snyder: Florida’s opioid crisis, Part 4 – Showtime at the Kabuki Theater