Pensacola Medical Examiner District has the state’s highest per capita opioid death rate. The district includes Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.
- To warn Floridians in the four-county district, Attorney General Moody, FDLE, FHP and local law enforcement leaders held a presser here so the media would help warn residents about the dangers of using illicit substances.
“The national opioid crisis, bolstered by deadly fentanyl from Mexico and China, continues to claim lives in Florida — with the Pensacola Medical Examiner District being hit the hardest on a per capita basis,” said Moody.
- She encouraged anyone struggling with addiction to seek help immediately. Resources can be found at DoseofRealityFL.com.
Dig Deeper: The statistics are a year old – January-June 2022. They are from before Gov. Ron DeSantis launched the CORE (Coordinated Opioid Recovery) network of addiction care in Escambia County.
- The state average per capita opioid-related death rate is 21 deaths per 100,000 residents;
- The Pensacola District’s per capita opioid-related death rate per 100,000 is 42 deaths per 100,000; and
- Of the 349 opioid-related deaths in the Pensacola Medical Examiner District, 60% involved fentanyl.
- The Pensacola Medical Examiner District is second only to Daytona Beach District in fentanyl deaths per capita.
In a press release from the Attorney General’s office, Sheriff Chip Simmons said he has been working to create a plan to address the issue.
“This plan combines a robust enforcement strategy and a partnership with our public health colleagues and Attorney General Moody in order to fully combat this epidemic. We look to reduce and disrupt the illicit supply chain while working with public health to provide services to those vulnerable to opioid effects.”
Inweekly wasn’t notified of the press conference, but we read the report and press release.
Let’s Talk About Healthcare
Less than two months from its big move out of the city’s urban core, Baptist Hospital is emailing community leaders and asking them to complete an online survey.
On Tuesday’s radio show, Mayor D.C. Reeves said, “We’ve had some conversations even recently about kind of starting to galvanize what the expectations are, across the board for Baptist and their board as well as the city.”
“We’re all in general agreement that (healthcare) is an important piece of property that certainly Baptist has an obligation for what they leave behind. And I believe the city has an obligation to play an active role hereto preserve and enhance the neighborhood.”
Commissioner Lumon May, who grew up in Morris Court near Baptist Hospital, wants the hospital leaders to announce what their plans are for his old neighborhood.
“We understand that people have gotten their healthcare from the hospital, not only Morris Court but also Englewood, Shantytown and the alphabet street of the people that live around it. Promises were made that Baptist would still be committed to keeping healthcare there.”
He added: “I’m looking forward to at least giving people the plan and hope.”
A Debate Worth Watching
But California Gov. Gavin Newsom might be possible, and DeSantis seemed to be willing. On Fox News last night, the governor told Sean Hannity, “Absolutely, I’m game. Let’s get it done. Just tell me when; we’ll do it.”
Unfortunately, DeSantis later backtracked on his Twitter account, saying Newsom should debate President Biden instead.