We need innovative resources in order to battle the opioid crisis
Firefighters across the state are confronted daily with the devastating toll the opioid crisis is taking on our communities.
The urgency of the situation demands swift and comprehensive action. One crucial step is to ensure those on the front lines have access to the most innovative FDA-approved opioid rescue agents to save lives.
Florida has seen an alarming increase in opioid overdoses in recent years. In 2022, there were more than 5,900 reported fatal opioid overdoses in Florida. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement report found that every day, 21 people in Florida die from opioid-related overdoses. These are not just numbers. They are loved ones in our communities falling prey to a growing epidemic. It is unacceptable.
Stronger opioid overdoses caused by synthetic opioids have created a new challenge in this fight. The state’s existing standing order for naloxone plays a crucial role in saving lives, but we have not been able to treat synthetic opioid overdoses as effectively.
As first responders, we have a duty to address this crisis head-on, and the first line of defense lies in the accessibility and application of opioid rescue agents. Innovation has led to FDA-approved medications that can reverse an overdose from stronger opioids in one dose, while naloxone may need two to three doses to reverse the overdose. These new rescue agents are administered via nasal spray, just like naloxone. This compatibility will allow us to swiftly introduce these rescue agents in the field because our first responders will not need extensive training to learn how to use these life-saving medications.
Firefighters and police officers are often the first to arrive at the scene of an overdose, and our ability to act swiftly can mean the difference between life and death. By updating our state’s standing orders to equip first responders with all FDA-approved opioid rescue agents, we
empower them to make a decisive impact on the front lines of this crisis.
This is a call for a united front against the opioid epidemic. Our communities deserve a comprehensive and adaptable strategy that reflects the latest advancements in medical interventions. We owe it to Floridians to ensure our first responders have the tools necessary to save lives.
The opioid epidemic knows no boundaries, affecting individuals from all walks of life within our state. We must be able to use every tool available to fight this epidemic and protect our community members.