First Lady Casey DeSantis joined Governor Ron DeSantis to announce plans for the $205.7 million from the Opioid Settlement Agreement.
These funds will establish the Office of Opioid Recovery within the Department of Children and Families, to oversee treatment and recovery efforts statewide.
Through cross-agency collaboration and community partnerships, Florida’s plan to use these funds is focused on implementing strategies and expanding programs that effectively serve Florida communities through evidence-based practices, including the CORE Network.
In the news: Explosion Wounds Four US Troops, Service Dog In Operation To Take Out ISIS Leader
“We want to stop illicit drugs from entering our state, hold dealers accountable, educate Floridians on the dangers and provide treatment that breaks the addiction cycle,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Opioid addiction is plaguing our state and nation, and we are seeing more fatalities related to overdose than ever before with fentanyl being trafficked through the southern border. We will use funds from the opioid settlement in the most efficient and effective way possible to end addiction in Florida.”
To combat the opioid crisis by efficiently meeting the needs of Floridians and educating our communities on the dangers of substance abuse, funding will be dedicated to:
- Establishing the Office of Opioid Recovery – $10.2 Million
- Improving access to treatment and recovery services – $92.5 Million
- Developing educational prevention materials – $39.4 Million
- Expanding the CORE Network – $26.8 Million
- Expanding recovery and peer support services – $25.3 Million
- Pioneering an integrated statewide database – $11.3 Million
In the news: Under DeSantis, Crime In Florida At 50-Year Low
Florida’s state agencies have implemented recovery and treatment programs that are the first of their kind in the nation and disrupt the traditional addiction cycle for Floridians to live a sustainable, drug-free life. In Florida, individuals struggling with substance abuse will have access to continuous care.
The state is also working to eliminate the stigma of addiction and treatment, starting with the substance abuse curriculum in schools.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here. Signup for our free newsletter by clicking here.