JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Drug deaths are down in Florida, with opioid-related deaths experiencing the most dramatic drop, according to a new report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
According to Attorney General Ashley Moody and the FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass, the latest Florida Medical Examiners Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons Report, shows an 11% drop in fentanyl occurrences across the state in 2023. Moreover, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a more than 17% decrease in drug overdose deaths in Florida.
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According to the FDLE, Florida leads the nation in drug seizures.
The attorney general said there are several reasons behind these trends, including the tougher state laws to combat the opioid crisis.
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The state also believes naloxone, a form of medicine to reduce opioid overdoses, has helped bring the death numbers down.
Moody provides free naloxone to first responders through the “Helping Heroes” program.
According to the report, Florida saw nearly 800 fewer opioid deaths in 2023 than the previous year.
Moody said Florida continues to fight to keep fentanyl from coming in from the border but added there is more that needs to be done.
“We are losing 7,000 people a year to overdose, that’s almost 20 people a day here in Florida. So this is an exciting progress and it’s crucial to remember the fight is not over, our work is not done,” Moody said.
The report also revealed a 5 percent decrease in total drug-related deaths.
