Gov. DeSantis signs bills to combat opioid crisis, protect from fentanyl exposure
Channel: CBS 12 News - WPEC
Date: 2024-04-09

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The battle against fentanyl and drug abuse can seem never-ending. This week, Governor Ron DeSantis is making another attempt to tackle the opioid crisis by signing new legislation aimed at protecting first responders from fentanyl exposure. But that’s just a piece of the puzzle.

“Because of the Biden administration’s unwillingness to secure the southern border, law enforcement officers are encountering fentanyl at alarming rates,” DeSantis said in a press conference Monday. “I wish there was just a switch we could turn on and never have to deal with this again. But the reality is you have to approach this from a variety of different ways.”

Florida is slowly seeing a decline in overdose deaths. Data shows a 9% decrease, or roughly 560 fewer deaths, from September 2022 to September 2023 compared to years prior.

“If you had a revolving door, someone would go they'd have an overdose and go to the hospital. They get revived and then they just get discharged and it was going to happen again. And it's just it's just a vicious cycle,” DeSantis said.

See also: Palm Beach County advocates push for dynamic, long-term addiction recovery plan

Now, CORE will be expanding its 24-hour care, access, and recovery resources to an additional 17 counties including Indian River and St. Lucie counties.

“Opioid addiction has been a scourge in the lives of too many Floridians and too many Americans around the country,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the support of our legislators, we are continuing to take steps to address this human tragedy. CORE’s expansion will support and treat more Floridians and serve as a model for states around the country.”

“CORE’s holistic approach to combating the opioid epidemic has resulted in unprecedented results for Floridians battling addiction,” said Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris. “Florida is grateful for the Governor and First Lady’s innovative leadership, and the Department looks forward to continuing to work with partners and key stakeholders to support families on their path to recovery and resiliency.”

Monday, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 718 and Senate Bill 66 into law.

SB718 looks at creating stiffer penalties for anyone who knowingly exposes a first responder to fentanyl. It would be a second-degree felony if it results in either overdose or serious injury.

“If an officer says, do you have drugs in your possession, and you lie, and then the officer ends up getting exposed and harmed, we're going to throw the book at you,” DeSantis said. “You know you are killing people and you need to be treated like the murderer that you are.”

See also: Dogs saved from 'filthy, deplorable' conditions in Stuart, 2 arrested: Sheriff

The bill also looks at expanding protections for those who seek help in good faith if they believe that they or someone else is overdosing.

Part of SB 66 designates June 6 as Revive Awareness Day. It also directs the Florida Department of Health to raise awareness about opioid overdose and how products like naloxone can be lifesaving. The act, known as Victoria's Law, is named after Victoria Siegal, who died of an accidental overdose in 2015.

Read more: https://cbs12.com/news/local/gov-desantis-signs-bills-to-combat-opioid-crisis-protect-from-fentanyl-exposure#

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