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Politics

Scott: Florida Awarded More Than $50 Million to Fight Opioids

September 26, 2018 - 2:00pm
Rick Scott
Rick Scott

Gov. Rick Scott today directed the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to begin using a new federal grant to increase access to medication-assisted treatment, reduce opioid-related deaths and equip professionals with the necessary tools to combat the national opioid epidemic in Florida. 

DCF applied for, and received, more than $50 million from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to continue providing treatment and recovery support services for individuals seeking help for opioid use. The funding is in addition to $65 million already being used to combat opioid use and addiction. The governor’s existing executive order enables DCF to immediately begin drawing down and distributing these funds.

Said Scott, “In Florida, we are standing with families who are fighting opioid addiction and will continue to find ways to help our communities and law enforcement agencies. This more than $50 million in additional funding will provide important recovery services for many families and aid in our fight against the national opioid epidemic. 

"Since I took office, we have invested more than $8 billion to better coordinate mental health and substance abuse services in Florida’s communities, including $65 million during the 2018 legislative session. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners throughout this fight.”

The state opioid response grant will be used to expand medication-assisted treatment across the state, distribute more than 40,000 naloxone kits per year, and provide resources and training to advocates and professionals across the state. This grant will provide more than $50 million per year for two years, for a total of more than $100 million.

DCF Interim Secretary Rebecca Kapusta said, “The department remains committed to helping people who are living with an opioid use disorder, supporting their families, and equipping the treatment industry with the right tools for the most effective treatment. The grant will continue to facilitate the expansion of services and treatment options throughout Florida’s communities to get people the help they need.”

DCF anticipates more than 5,000 new individuals could receive medication-assisted treatment and associated recovery support this year with this funding. It will also allow local substance abuse treatment providers to distribute free, take-home naloxone kits directly to individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose, and their families. 

Additionally, state opioid response grant funding will add 18 new behavioral health consultants in DCF regional offices to provide clinical expertise and direct assistance with the identification of parents with opioid use disorders in the child welfare system.

Comments

Too little too late Red Tide Rick...

The Democrat space cadet Nelson (aka space tourist) could have lobbied for these funds but he was too busy fundraising with his Democrat pal 'Sheriff' Israel whose Broward Office did nothing while children were being shot in Parkland. Opioids have been over overprescribed and sold for profit at a staggering rate starting with the Obama ACA, one of it's many failed, amoral legacies.

Would you also consider health insurance for millions who could not previously afford it an amoral legacy?

Guess he has an interest in whatever companies are "working" on this. Nothing like creating demand for your own services.

Like when he pushed for mandatory drug testing for all state employees while having a family connection to the company doing the testing. Your guess is good.

Could somebody explain exactly what is the opioid epidemic? This is what I have so far-"What is the opioid epidemic? “Opioids” is a term for drugs that bind to opioid receptors in the body. They include everything from heroin and fentanyl to prescription pills like oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine and morphine. More than 115 people in America die every day due to accidental misuse of these drugs--that’s one person every 12 minutes--and “the opioid epidemic” is the term used to describe this health crisis." It seems that someone is lumping all these different drugs together because they are chemically related. Has anybody seen a breakdown of the different drugs. The prescription type are one group, but is heroin prescribed?

Scott screws Medicaid and the ACA ... but brags about giving $50 million to drug abusers ??? The guy's as bassackwards as they come !

Oh, the D troll again.

Charlotte, I feel left out. How bout those recent polls, dear?

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