DeSantis declares war on opioid crisis with new substance abuse recovery network

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state health officials announced expansion of a new substance abuse and recovery network to combat the opioid epidemic.

The new recovery network, Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) is the first of its kind in the U.S., run through the Agency for Health Care Administration, Department of Health and Department of Children and Families.

 “Biden’s border crisis has caused a massive infusion of drugs coming into our state,” DeSantis declared. “This year we increased the penalties for individuals trafficking drugs in our state, and now we are giving Floridians the tools they need to break the substance abuse cycle.

“Substance abuse can affect any family at any time, so from education to law enforcement to treatment we are going to make sure that Floridians can take advantage of this new addiction recovery model.”

The CORE program was already successfully piloted in Palm Beach County for nearly two years. As a result the program is now being brought to 12 other counties.

Floridians suffering from addiction afflictions can use CORE to help stabilize and get specialized medical help to help recover.

The governor’s office reports that so far this year there have already been nearly 2,000 fatal overdoses.

In Brevard County, police are seizing more illegal drugs than ever before, and law enforcement agents are recovering a high amount of deadly fentanyl. Last year, Sheriff’s Office in that county encountered a 72% increase in fentanyl overdose fatalities.

 “Addiction is heartbreaking for all involved, and we ultimately want to help people address the stress traumas that led them to addiction,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.

“One day the standard of care will address the trauma and the stress, but until then we have the evidence-based practices that exist in place. This program is an applied, intensive application to managing addiction through powerful, effective practice that connects people to what they need to get out of the horrific cycle of addiction.”

 The Florida governor also announced the appointment of Dr. Courtney Phillips as the first Statewide Director of Opioid Recovery, whose job will be to offer clinical consultations for addicts who want help and recovery services.

Phillips is an adult psychologist and the current Director of Behavioral Health for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County.

 “The state of Florida should be proud today to take the lead on systematically tackling the opioid and substance use epidemic with compassion and competent care,” Phillips said. “Our state and communities did not choose this epidemic, but today we choose to treat this medical and psychiatric illness like any other, with access, evidence based care, and lifelong comprehensive treatment.”

Phase one of the program expansion will include Brevard, Clay, Duval, Escambia, Gulf, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, and Volusia counties.