2nd Meeting of Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chair of the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse, today convened the group’s second meeting. The meeting comes as the latest Florida Medical Examiners Report shows opioid-related deaths declined 10 percent last year—marking more than 600 fewer deaths than the previous year.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “While the decline in opioid-related deaths is encouraging, we will not take our foot off the gas. My office is fighting the opioid crisis on multiple fronts—on the streets busting drug traffickers to the courtroom holding major opioid distributors, manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies responsible for their roles in this crisis. This Task Force is another key component of this monumental struggle to end opioid abuse and save lives, and we will continue to tirelessly pursue new measures to help bolster our ongoing efforts to end this crisis ravaging our state.”

Members of the Task Force discussed the Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners 2018 Annual Report during today’s meeting at St. Leo University. The treatment-themed meeting highlighted the importance and efficacy of Medicated Assisted Treatment to combat opioid use disorder. The 21-member team also discussed best practices for continued support of opioid overdose patients following an emergency room visit.

The Task Force members also discussed programs designed to treat inmates arrested on drug charges while serving time behind bars. Representatives from the Orange County Jail, Seminole County Jail and the Florida Department of Corrections discussed inmate treatment programs during the meeting streamed live on The Florida Channel.

The Florida Channel also live-streamed the inaugural meeting of the Task Force in October. To watch the meeting in its entirety, click here.

The Task Force is charged with developing a statewide strategy to identify best practices to combat the opioid epidemic through education, law enforcement efforts, treatment, prevention and recovery. The Task Force will then present its findings to Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate President Bill Galvano and House Speaker Jose Oliva.

Governor DeSantis issued an executive order earlier this year creating the Task Force and naming Attorney General Moody chair.

To view the executive order, click here.

Attorney General Moody launched a new statewide resource ahead of the first meeting of the Task Force to help Floridians join in the fight to end the opioid crisis. Dose of Reality is a one-stop shop of information about opioid addiction and resources for businesses, caregivers, educators, medical professionals, parents, seniors, service members, students, veterans and others.

To visit the site, click here.