News & Press https://www.fadaa.org/news/default.asp Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:01:36 GMT Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:29:00 GMT Copyright © 2026 FADAA: Services Arm of the Florida Behavioral Health Association Florida Department of Health Issues Warning on Dangerous Opioid-Like Products Sold in Stores https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=729918 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=729918

Florida Department of Health Issues Warning on Dangerous Opioid-Like Products Sold in Stores Across Florida

June 16, 2026 2 min read
The Florida Department of Health is warning Floridians about the serious health risks associated with 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and its derivatives, potent opioid-like compounds that are increasingly being marketed and sold throughout Florida.
For media inquiries: Office of Communications • NewsMedia@FLHealth.gov • 850-245-4111

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health is warning Floridians about the serious health risks associated with 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and its derivatives, potent opioid-like compounds that are increasingly being marketed and sold throughout Florida.

“Floridians should know the risks associated with these 7-OH products,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “While many Floridians use kratom safely, concentrated products like 7-OH are much more dangerous, act on the same receptors as opioids and have been associated with serious adverse health effects, including respiratory depression, seizures, and addiction.”

These products are often sold in gas stations, vape shops, and convenience stores and marketed with colorful packaging, sweet flavors, and forms that appeal to consumers, including gummies, drink mixers, shots, and tablets. Despite their appearance, these compounds can have powerful effects on the body and pose significant health risks.

The Florida Department of Health is encouraging parents, educators, health care professionals, and community leaders to familiarize themselves with these products and discuss their risks with young people.

Poison Control Centers in Florida and across the nation have reported an increase in calls involving these substances. Reported symptoms include dizziness, confusion, headache, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, tremors, decrease mental status, respiratory depression, and seizures. In severe cases, use of these compounds may result in life threatening respiratory failure.

Floridians should be aware of the following warning signs:

  • Products marketed as “7-OH,” 7-OHMZ,” “7-Hydroxy,” “MGM-15,” “MGM-16,” or similar names.
  • Packaging features bright colors, candy-like branding, or sweet flavors.
  • Products sold as gummies, shots, powders, drink mixers, or tablets.
  • Claims suggesting the products are natural, safe, or risk-free alternatives.

Anyone experiencing adverse effects after using 7-OH or related products should seek immediate medical attention. If you suspect poisoning or overdose, contact the Florida Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or call 911.

Florida continues to lead in identifying and addressing emerging threats to public health and safety. The Florida Department of Health remains committed to providing families with timely information and resources to help protect their health and make informed decisions. 

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]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:29:00 GMT Increase in Fatal Overdoses Linked to Novel Synthetic Opioid Cychlorphine https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=724739 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=724739 The objective of this Public Alert is to notify public health and safety agencies, law enforcement, first responders, clinicians, medical examiners and coroners, forensic and clinical laboratory personnel, and all other related communities about new information surrounding the emergent novel synthetic opioid N-Propionitrile Chlorphine (also known as “Cychlorphine”).

 

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]]> Thu, 2 Apr 2026 17:26:00 GMT HHS Provides More than $1.5 Billion in State and Tribal Opioid Response Grants https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=710711 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=710711

HHS Provides More than $1.5 Billion in State and Tribal Opioid Response Grants

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), today allocated more than $1.5 billion in FY25 continuation funding awards for the State Opioid Response (SOR) and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grants. This funding provides critical resources to states and Tribal communities to address the overdose crisis through prevention, opioid overdose reversal medications, treatment (including medications for opioid use disorder, or MOUD), and recovery support.


]]> Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:13:00 GMT Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=696421 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=696421

Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. renewed the public health emergency declaration addressing our nation’s opioid crisis, which will allow sustained federal coordination efforts and preserve key flexibilities that enable HHS to continue leveraging expanded authorities to conduct certain activities in response to the opioid overdose crisis.

Read More

 

]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:38:00 GMT Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=696419 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=696419

Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. renewed the public health emergency declaration addressing our nation’s opioid crisis, which will allow sustained federal coordination efforts and preserve key flexibilities that enable HHS to continue leveraging expanded authorities to conduct certain activities in response to the opioid overdose crisis.






]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:38:00 GMT SAMHSA Releases Federal Guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=688559 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=688559 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is releasing new Federal Guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs that align with the new regulations published in February 2024.

These revised guidelines provide recommendations, guidance, and best practices for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) on the implementation and compliance of regulation changes in 42 CFR Part 8. The revised regulation went into effect on April 2, 2024, and the compliance date for OTPs was October 2, 2024.

The revised regulations took historic steps to increase access to lifesaving, evidence-based medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and promote practitioner discretion, support patient-centered care, reduce barriers to treatment, and remove stigmatizing or outdated language from the 2001 regulations. The newly released guidelines replace the guidelines published in 2015.

The new Guidelines provide guidance to OTPS on:

Creating a healing environment for patients that promotes and sustains engagement through shared decision-making between the patient and practitioner.
Addressing changes to patient admission criteria and telehealth processes.
Using clinical decision making and practitioner discretion in providing effective, individualized care within OTPs.
Developing and implementing procedures to support medication administration, dispensing and use, including procedures related to take-home doses of methadone.
Integrating trauma-informed principles and practices.
Providing support for at-risk populations.
Ensuring availability of medical, counseling, vocational, educational, and other assessment and treatment services.
Implementing strategies for ensuring continuity of care for patients.
 
Although the regulations and guidelines are for OTPs, the patient-centered, shared-decision making, reduction in barriers to care, and stigma reducing language, can be implemented by all practitioners and medical practices providing MOUD in all care settings.

Download the Guidelines

]]> Thu, 5 Dec 2024 23:44:00 GMT X Waivers ends and new training requirements for DEA license https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=661495 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=661495 X Waivers ends and new training requirements for DEA license

The X waiver, a special Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certification that allowed clinicians to prescribe buprenorphine (Suboxone), a partial opioid agonist that curbs opioid cravings, has long been considered a bureaucratic hurdle to improving treatment access for patients who struggle with opioid addiction. While the current administration has incrementally loosened the requirements for providers to obtain an X waiver in recent years, the provision included in December's omnibus bill eliminates the certification entirely. The abolishment of the X waiver is included in the bipartisan Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act. But also included in the omnibus bill was another provision that bolsters training requirements for clinicians prescribing all controlled substances -- not just MAT -- called the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act. This law requires all providers who apply for a DEA license to prescribe controlled substances to undergo a one-time, non-repetitive, 8-hour training on managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders.


(01/03/2024)    READ MORE]]> Wed, 3 Jan 2024 14:41:00 GMT FDA Approves Second Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray Product https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=647316 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=647316 Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved RiVive, 3 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription use for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. This is the second nonprescription naloxone product the agency has approved, helping increase consumer access to naloxone without a prescription. The timeline for availability and the price of this nonprescription product will be determined by the manufacturer.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-second-over-counter-naloxone-nasal-spray-product

]]> Tue, 1 Aug 2023 16:16:00 GMT Florida bans synthetic opioids https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=643690 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=643690 Florida bans synthetic opioids

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau)

 

Melanie Brown Woofter, President and CEO of the Florida Behavioral Health Association, comments on HB736, signed into law by Governor DeSantis on Monday June 12, 2023, This bill adds several nitazene derivatives, which are synthetic opioids, to the list of Schedule I controlled substances. A person who unlawfully possesses, purchases, sells, manufactures, delivers, or brings into this state these nitazene derivatives may be subject to criminal penalties. The bill is also supported by the Florida Attorney General, Ashley Moody.

https://www.wctv.tv/2023/06/14/florida-bans-synthetic-opioids/

]]> Fri, 16 Jun 2023 21:06:00 GMT NIH and FDA leaders call for more research, lower barriers to test drug- checking tools https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=643424 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=643424

NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse

NEWS

 

Rearview of woman's arm with heart-shaped tattoo standing at an outdoor music festival.

NIH and FDA leaders call for more research, lower barriers to improve and implement drug- checking tools amid overdose epidemic

In a new Commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine, leaders at the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration highlight the urgent need to address current gaps in the research, development, and implementation of fentanyl test strips and other rapid drug-detecting tools that could help prevent overdose deaths. These tools have the potential to save lives and to serve as an important part of harm reduction toolkits but often remain inaccessible because of gaps in research and various other barriers, including state or legal prohibitions. This call to action encourages new collaborations among researchers and agencies to ensure the effectiveness of fentanyl test strips and promote the development of additional drug-checking technologies. It also encourages the reduction of barriers that inhibit use of these technologies where not prohibited by law.
]]> Wed, 14 Jun 2023 18:27:00 GMT SAMHSA alerts Providers and Grantees About the Risks of Xylazine https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=636040 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=636040 SAMHSA alerts Providers and Grantees About the Risks of Xylazine

SAMHSA is alerting providers and grantees about the risks of xylazine in this Dear Colleague letter. Xylazine is increasingly being found in the illicit drug supply, often in combination with opioids like fentanyl. Xylazine can cause circulatory changes that lead to painful lesions, necrosis, and even limb loss. Xylazine is especially risky because it is not detected in routine toxicology tests, so people who use drugs may be exposed without knowing. When a provider suspects exposure, SAMHSA recommends managing patients accordingly and alerting the local public health department.

https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/colleague-letter-xylazine.pdf

]]> Wed, 29 Mar 2023 15:39:00 GMT Justice Department Issues Guidance on Protections for People with Opioid Use Disorder under the ADA https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=601600 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=601600 Justice Department Issues Guidance on Protections for People with Opioid Use Disorder under the Americans with Disabilities Act | OPA | Department of Justice

The Department of Justice announced today that it has published guidance on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are in treatment or recovery, including those who take medication to treat their OUD. The publication, “The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Opioid Crisis: Combating Discrimination Against People in Treatment or ...

www.justice.gov]]> Thu, 7 Apr 2022 17:58:00 GMT Families Against Fentanyl reports that Florida Leads the Nation in Fentanyl Deaths https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=597787 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=597787 Florida Leads the Nation in Fentanyl Deaths

By Florida Daily – March 1, 2022

 

Illicit fentanyl deaths surpassed 64,000 last year, according to an analysis completed by Families Against Fentanyl using data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

 

Last year, Florida alone lost 5,161 people to illicit fentanyl, more than any other state across the country. In addition to ranking highest in the nation for total fentanyl deaths last year, Florida also ranked in the top 20 states for fentanyl deaths per capita. A report named “Fentanyl: The State We’re In” was released on Monday. Last year data’s is the most recent 12 months for which CDC data was available at time of analysis, which is the 12 months ending in May 2021.

 

https://www.floridadaily.com/florida-leads-the-nation-in-fentanyl-deaths/

]]> Thu, 3 Mar 2022 18:50:00 GMT CDC’s Draft Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids Now Open for Public Comment  https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=595499 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=595499 SAMHSA Logo Banner

CDC’s Draft Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids Now Open for Public Comment 

CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control is in the process of updating the 2016 CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. The draft updated Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids is available for public comment in the Federal Register. The public comment period will be open for 60 days, through April 11, 2022. CDC encourages all patients, caregivers, providers, and others who care about safe, effective, and informed pain treatment options to submit their comments via the Federal Register docket.

Visit the Federal Register to provide your comments on the draft Guideline update

Please see the CDC webpage detailing the process of updating the Guideline. Encourage people you know who have direct experience with the role of opioids in pain care and the importance of the patient-clinician relationship to visit the Federal Register, review the draft update to the Guideline, and add their perspectives to the Federal Register Notice.

Learn more about the Federal Register Notice and how to submit a comment:

View the process and timeline of the draft Guideline update: www.cdc.gov/opioids/guideline-update/index.html

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 USA

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) | www.samhsa.gov | Privacy

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]]> Mon, 14 Feb 2022 14:41:27 GMT HHS Releases New Buprenorphine Practice Guidelines, Expands Access to Treatment for Opioid Use Disor https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=564451 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=564451 Read More]]> Thu, 6 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT Florida Courts designate August “Opioid Awareness Month” and launch training series https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=520229 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=520229 https://www.flcourts.org/Resources-Services/Court-Improvement/Opioid-Initiative/Virtual-Workshops]]> Tue, 4 Aug 2020 22:26:08 GMT Florida Statewide Taskforce on Opioid Abuse Meeting https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=476894 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=476894 Florida’s new Statewide Taskforce on Opioid Abuse held their first meeting today. Governor Ron DeSantis established the Opioid Taskforce by Executive Order 19-97 earlier this year. Attorney General Ashley Moody serves as committee chair. Immediately prior to the committee meeting, Moody said, “It is absolutely imperative that we have a statewide coordinated strategic effort to make sure we are implementing those practices around the state that are based on science and data.” The twenty-one member committee also includes FBHA member Mary Lynn Ulrey, CEO of DACCO, and FBHA President Melanie Brown-Woofter.

The overarching purpose of the taskforce, as defined by executive order, is to research and assess the nature of opioid drug abuse in Florida and develop a statewide strategy to identify best practices to combat the opioid epidemic through education, treatment, prevention, recovery and law enforcement. More specifically, the taskforce is to study the cost of the crisis on state and local governments, identify available programs that have been successful in combating opioid abuse, work to better understand the sources of addiction, explore whether there is need for additional regulatory activity, evaluate and identify ways to reduce the demand for opioids and decrease the supply, and determine if law enforcement would benefit from new training or resources to help equip them to handle opioid users.

During the first meeting, the members listened to reports on the current state of Florida’s opioid crisis. They also selected Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma as the new Vice-Chair of the committee. He was instrumental in the Opioid Work Study Group Report that helped to create the new Opioid taskforce.

]]> Fri, 11 Oct 2019 14:19:51 GMT Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Award of Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=446551 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=446551  

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Award of National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis

On April 12, 2019, by staff, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to combat the opioid epidemic in Florida. The grant is worth up to $2,500,000, with $833,333 released initially. This funding will address the impacts the opioid crisis has had on Florida’s workforce and will provide employment services to eligible individuals who have been affected.

“The opioid crisis is a serious public health concern that requires effective and immediate action to combat this epidemic,” said Governor DeSantis. “I am grateful to Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and the Trump administration for taking the necessary steps to help our workforce deal with the devastating economic impact of substance abuse.”

“Opioid abuse devastates families and communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “Helping individuals find family-sustaining job opportunities is a critical part of recovery. This Dislocated Worker Grant will help individuals impacted by the opioid crisis remain in and return to the workforce.”

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida is tackling the opioid crisis from every angle, including those who struggle to gain employment,” said DEO Executive Director Ken Lawson.“The Dislocated Worker Grant will allow our agency and our partners across the state to be a part of the fight.  We will train those impacted by the opioid crisis in fields that allow them to not only get back to work, but to help others who are impacted as well.”

The project will provide eligible grant participants with disaster-relief employment at community centers for mental health and substance abuse, including positions such as peer recovery specialists, addiction counselors and behavioral health technicians. The project will also provide employment services to participants seeking careers in healthcare professions related to addiction, treatment, prevention and pain management. The grant activities will take place in Brevard, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017, enabling Florida to request this funding for a DWG project.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.

###

]]> Fri, 12 Apr 2019 16:21:14 GMT FADAA Opioid Treatment Programs Continue to See Positive Outcomes https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=445430 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=445430 For Immediate Release
Friday, April 5, 2019

Contact: Rebecca Roberts
850-878-2196

Download printable press release here


Programs through DCF and OSCA focus on alcohol and opioid recovery
Tallahassee, FL—According to an FDLE medical examiner's report, there were 6,178 opioid related deaths in Florida in 2017— 453 more deaths than the previous year. Keeping effective drug treatment options and programs intact are necessary to address the state’s persistent opioid epidemic. 

The Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA) has released data that demonstrates the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, specifically extended release injectable Naltrexone, which is used to treat both alcohol and opioid dependent individuals.  The program is administered by FADAA for the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

“Our state is facing a serious opioid epidemic that has touched nearly every county and scores of families. In Florida, we lose 17 lives a day to opioid use disorder,” said Melanie Brown-Woofter, President and CEO of the newly merged Florida Council for Community Mental Health and FADAA. “Medication-Assisted Treatment is a critical tool in the state’s efforts to help move individuals out of addiction and into recovery.”  

Extended release injectable Naltrexone is one of three nationally recommended medications used to treat substance use disorders. Extended release Naltrexone is a once-monthly injectable non-addictive, non-narcotic medication proven to help prevent those suffering from substance use disorders from relapsing.  The medication works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and blocking the effects of opioid compounds. The medication also helps reduce cravings.  This, in combination with counseling, gives individuals with substance use disorders a chance at recovery.

Florida’s MAT programs have been able to assist more than 58 communities from Pensacola to Key West in delivering a monthly injection to patients in participating programs. To date, over 6,400 people have received the once-a-month shot and over 22,000 injections have been administered in Florida. According to the data, programs administered by DCF saw a nearly 75% success rate and programs administered by OSCA saw a nearly 73% success rate.

Extended release injectable Naltrexone is also administered through 19 jail-based programs across the state to help inmates overcome their substance use disorders and transition to life after incarceration.  

Senate and House members have continued to express their commitment to fighting addiction in Florida by funding these very important programs that save lives.

In Fiscal Year 2017-2018, both the DCF and OSCA programs used 100% of available funding, although there continues to be a wait list for these programs. In the current Fiscal Year, the programs are on pace again to use 100% of available funding. 

The commitment to address the opioid epidemic extends beyond the Florida Legislature. Earlier this week Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order reestablishing the Office of Drug Control and creating the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse, which will be chaired by Attorney General Ashley Moody.

“We applaud Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Moody for leading this mission. Our members are committed to supporting these efforts and working with the Governor and Attorney General in developing a statewide strategy to fight the opioid epidemic,” added Brown-Woofter.

For data and more information about drug treatment programs, please visit www.fadaa.org.

About the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association
The Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to solicit and administer grants, contracts, and other activities that support workforce development, address public education on behavioral health issues, provide training and technical assistance, and other activities that support mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.

About the Florida Council for Community Mental Health

For more than five decades, the Florida Council for Community Mental Health, Inc. has actively served Florida’s community mental health and substance abuse services agencies by advocating for funding, policy and legislation to ensure that all Floridians have access to comprehensive, high quality behavioral health care services. The Council’s member agencies include a broad range of provider types, ranging from small specialty organizations to comprehensive treatment organizations with multiple locations within a geographic region.

 
]]> Fri, 5 Apr 2019 19:03:58 GMT State Targeted Response Meeting https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=406830 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=406830 State Targeted Response Meeting: Tampa

Over eighty people gathered in Tampa on Tuesday, June 26 for a State Targeted Response (STR) Meeting. The purpose of Tampa's STR meeting was to review strategies implemented since the project's launch and to plan for the next phase of implementation.

Attendees represented treatment providers, managing entities, and the Department of Children and Families. 

The State Targeted Response represents a federal allocation of funds to respond to the opioid crisis. Florida's slice of the pie from federal STR grant money was approximately 27 million in 2017.

 

 

 

 

]]> Wed, 27 Jun 2018 19:42:03 GMT Proposed Opioid Funding, Reforms Circulating Through Florida Legislature https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=380163 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=380163
 

 

Several proposals to combat the opioid epidemic are circulating through the Florida House and Senate.

They include $50 million in funding for resources, and a three-day limit on prescribed opioids, unless strict conditions are met for a seven-day supply.

It would also require all prescribers to participate in the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program - which helps prevent doctor shopping.

And while they say that's a step in the right direction, many substance abuse and addiction groups also feel like much more is needed.

They say social services like individualized treatment, peer-to-peer counseling, and other services are typically the first to get cut when funding is low.

Angela Corbett, the Clinical Director at Sunspire Health Hyde Park in Tampa, said if she could write a bill, more money for these services would be key.

"I think the state of Florida can always benefit, just because of the density of the population here,” Corbett said. “We can always benefit from more funding for social services and that's something that those of us that have worked in this field have often struggled with, seeing the vast amount of people that need the help that don't have access to it."

Corbett said that funding could be used to help people who don’t have insurance or who slip through the cracks in the system - like the homeless and indigent populations.

The $50 million would be used for substance abuse treatment, counseling and recovery services, and the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.

Additional reforms would fight unlicensed pain management clinics - and require continuing education courses for physicians on responsibly prescribing opioids.

“My proposed legislation and funding help address multiple levels of this epidemic, from doctors and prescribers to state and community programs, to law enforcement officers who are on the front line of this fight,” said Gov. Rick Scott during his announcement of the proposals.

Alina Klein, the Director of Clinical Outreach at Sunspire Health Hyde Park in Tampa, said the discussion alone is making an impact.

"It's definitely a step in the right direction,” Klein said. “The fact that so much attention is even being brought to this subject is forward movement."

Klein also says while the three-day limit is good, it doesn't help people who are already addicted, and who are getting their opiates off the street.

Scott declared a statewide public health emergency for the opioid epidemic in May. The proposals are part of his 2018 - 2019 recommended budget.

]]> Thu, 28 Dec 2017 17:15:14 GMT Women of Childbearing Age and Opioids https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=378140 https://www.fadaa.org/news/news.asp?id=378140 The past decade has seen a rise in the proportion of infants who have been exposed to opioid drugs, such as heroin or prescription pain relievers (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone), at birth. Read More]]> Mon, 11 Dec 2017 21:23:43 GMT