Florida Pilot Program Provides Career Training for Recovery
Florida has received millions in emergency funds to combat the opioid crisis in the last few years. In particular, the $5 million Florida received from the Department of Labor will fund a pilot program called “Support to Communities: Fostering Opioid Recovery through Workforce Development.” The goal is to help those in recovery receive training and opportunities after […]
Florida School Receives $1.46M Grant for Opioids Research
Many people develop an opioid addiction due to an overprescription of painkillers. In Florida, opioids continue to impact the community, with opioid-related deaths rising 10% since 2019. On February 4th, 2021, the Univerisity of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville received a $1.46 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to implement alternatives […]
Florida Receives $40 Million in Opioid Settlement with McKinsey
Florida has been amongst various states suing opioid companies and their affiliates, seeking compensation for damages and accusing them of fueling the opioid crisis. On February 3rd, 2021, consulting firm McKinsey agreed to a settlement of $573 million over opioid advice. The company allegedly began deceptive practices to sell opioids to the public and worked with Purdue Pharma, […]
Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Walmart for role in Opioid Crisis
Over the past five years, lawsuits have been filed against various pharmaceutical companies, with state attorneys accusing them of fueling the opioid crisis across the United States. Lawmakers believe these companies abused the system, exacerbating the opioid epidemic. Purdue Pharma may be the first domino, as the company pleaded guilty last year, expected to pay billions. In December […]
Coronavirus Fuels Opioid Crisis Around the Nation and Florida
The year 2020 is holding nothing back, especially when it comes to the opioid crisis. After seeing success in 2018, with drug-related deaths reducing for the first time in years, the coronavirus pandemic has increased substance abuse across the nation. In particular, opioids and opioid-related deaths have soared, including in the state of Florida. Read on to find […]
How Five Vulnerable Populations to Opioid Abuse Can Get Help in Florida
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.” Anyone can […]
Purdue Pharma to Plead Guilty to Criminal Charges. What Does This Mean for Florida?
The opioid crisis has been hurting the United States for roughly two decades. In the last few years, many manufacturers of opioids and middlemen have been targets for lawyers and state attorneys as they seek justice for their constituents. Regarding the opioid crisis, many are not sure who to blame, but the manufacturers of opioids have not […]
How to Fight Prescription Opioid Abuse in Florida
With unprecedented times in 2020, causing financial, personal, and emotional hardships—substance abuse has increased substantially. In particular, the opioid crisis became worse in Florida due to COVID-19. A significant component of opioid abuse is prescription drugs, which can become an afterthought due to more dangerous alternatives, such as heroin and fentanyl. According to the National Insitute on Drug Abuse […]
Justice for Florida? The State is Set to Sue Big Pharma
The opioid crisis in the last two decades has taken a toll on Florida, to the point the state will sue Big Pharma. Initially filed in November 2018, a trial date of October 2021 has been set for the state to go after various pharmaceutical companies and seek compensation for damages. Ashley Moody, Florida’s Attorney General, is leading […]
Overall Opioid Deaths Decline Despite Rising Fentanyl Fatalities
Florida’s opioid epidemic is one of the worse in the nation. However, there is good news recently but also paired with bad news. For one, opioids categorized as “natural” or “semisynthetic opioids” saw a slow decline in deaths, while synthetic opioids such as fentanyl resulted in higher deaths. The Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA) sent out a “trends […]
A Brief Look into Florida’s History of Overprescribing Opioids
The opioid epidemic has been evident for the past two decades—from prescription opioids to heroin, to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. However, abuse from prescription opioids started this trend, and Florida was at the forefront during the most dangerous times of the opioid crisis. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just Florida, but the whole country was battling prescription opioid abuse. How did […]
Florida’s Opioid Task Force: Combating the Crisis
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 […]