Florida first lady Casey DeSantis and the Department of Health on Thursday announced a new initiative to alert residents of the state to the dangers of fentanyl.
The public health advisory will concentrate on “prevention and recovery resources for overdoses involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl.”
Furthermore, the release from the governor’s office detailed that state agencies will share resources in order to combat the physical and mental health impacts.
“Too many individuals are losing their lives because of illicit drugs and substance abuse,” first lady DeSantis said. “Fentanyl overdose is the leading cause of death in the nation for individuals ages 18 to 45. It is primarily being manufactured in China and pouring across our southern border. It is imperative that Floridians know the risks and understand that just two milligrams can be lethal. Stopping drug dealers and helping Floridians overcome the challenges of addiction and preventing overdose deaths is a significant priority for us all.”
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), just a small amount of the drug can be lethal. “Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage,” the organization explains.
Just days ago, authorities seized 3 pounds of fentanyl in Lake County – an amount that could kill more than 600,000 individuals.
Often distributors can mix fentanyl with other illegal drugs, creating the possibility of an overdose to unsuspecting individuals.
“More than 6,150 people died from overdoses involving fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in 2020. While substance use disorder is a chronic disease that requires clinical oversight, the fentanyl crisis requires us to be all hands on deck across communities – and that is exactly what we are doing,” Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo added.
Additionally, Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation that increased penalties for trafficking the deadly drug. Depending on the amount, an individual trafficking fentanyl can face 3 to 20 years in prison.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Casey DeSantis” by FL.gov.
