The opioid crisis in Florida is still impacting the lives of people every day. Whether it’s prescription opioids or synthetic opioids like fentanyl—the epidemic is still a problem.
That’s why Florida introduced an Opioid Task Force in late 2019. According to the official website, Dose of Reality:
“The 21-member Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse, chaired by Attorney General Ashley Moody, was created by Executive Order 19-97 in 2019, in the wake of the Opioid Epidemic, knowing that a coordinated and comprehensive statewide drug control and substance abuse prevention strategy is imperative for education, prevention, treatment, recovery and law enforcement efforts. Members include mental health experts, law enforcement officers, legislators, a State Attorney and Public Defender, as well as experts in the fields of addiction, education and social services.”
Read on to find out more about Florida’s Opioid Task Force and how you can help get for opioid addiction.
Purpose and Duties of Florida’s Opioid Task Force
According to Dose of Reality:
“The Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse was created to research and assess the nature of opioid drug abuse in Florida and develop a statewide strategy to identify best practices to combat the opioid epidemic through education, treatment, prevention, recovery and law enforcement.
- Recommendations should include how the state can best use resources and funding to combat the opioid epidemic.
- The Task Force will gather information as required and present recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.”
Why is it necessary to have an Opioid Task Force? The opioid epidemic is detrimental to individuals, families, and the economy. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):
“2018 data shows that every day, 128 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total “economic burden” of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.”
The opioid crisis initially started with the abuse of opioid prescription drugs. In 2011, when Florida enacted a prescription monitoring system, the prescription rate started to go down.
Source: NIDA
However, people began to turn to heroin, and now fentanyl. As people turned to more deadly opioids, the overdose death rate rose.
Source: NIDA
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are currently in waves of opioid overdose deaths. Now, we are in the third wave, where synthetic opioids and fentanyl have accelerated the overdose deaths during this opioid epidemic.
How to Get Help for Opioid Addiction in Florida
Florida’s Opioid Task Force shows the seriousness of the opioid epidemic, and it is not to be taken lightly.
If you or someone you know is suffering from opioid addiction, or any other substance abuse, seek professional help now.
Contact On Call Treatment FL, a South Florida drug rehab—available 24 Hours, 7 days a week, call us NOW 1-(855)-492-1515.