What to Know
- The opioids crisis — which claims the lives of at least 16 Sunshine State residents per day — was a top priority of the Republican governor.
- The bill imposes new restrictions on prescriptions and calls for $53.5 million in state and federal grant funding for treatment programs.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has signed legislation aimed at combating the state's opioid epidemic.
The Governor's office announced Sunday that Scott will sign the bill on Monday in Bradenton. Manatee County saw the highest amount of deaths in the state from fentanyl analogs in 2015. Fentanyl analogs are usually prescribed for veterinary use and often 5,000 times more lethal than heroin.
"This bill will help limit the chance of drug addiction, reduce the ability for dangerous drugs to spread in Florida’s communities and give vulnerable Floridians needed support," Scott said.
The opioids crisis — which claims the lives of at least 16 Sunshine State residents per day — was a top priority of the Republican governor and the Legislature.
"We made a commitment in Florida to do everything possible to help communities impacted by the national opioid epidemic, and I appreciate the work of Senate President Joe Negron, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, and all the legislators who supported this important priority," the Governor added.
The bill imposes new restrictions on prescriptions, calls for $53.5 million in state and federal grant funding for treatment programs and updates the state's prescription database.
Local
Most initial prescriptions would have a limit of three days, but doctors could prescribe up to seven days for acute pain exceptions.
