Penalties for individuals who expose law enforcement officers to fentanyl are poised to increase in the Sunshine State following the signing of new legislation on Monday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has recently signed two Senate bills, namely 718 and 66. The first bill establishes a second-degree felony charge for adults who recklessly expose first responders to fentanyl, leading to an overdose or significant physical harm.
SB 718 not only extends protections for individuals who seek assistance for themselves or others during an overdose but also emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the risks associated with opioid exposure. Moreover, SB 66 designates June 6th as Revive Awareness Day, highlighting the significance of proactive measures to combat the opioid crisis. The Florida Department of Health is directed to play a crucial role in spreading awareness and educating the public about the dangers associated with opioids.
During a news conference in Sanford on Monday, DeSantis emphasized the staggering influx of fentanyl that is flowing across the southern border from Mexico. He further highlighted the profound repercussions this has had on communities across the United States.
“It’s not just a problem limited to the southern border; this fentanyl finds its way into communities all across the country,” noted DeSantis. “As a nation, we have been witnessing alarming records in terms of opioid overdose fatalities, largely fueled by the influx of fentanyl from the southern border.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the efforts made by the state to address the situation at the southern border. He highlighted that Florida has taken action by deploying state troopers, law enforcement personnel, and the State Guard to Texas in order to assist in curbing the influx of undocumented migrants.
According to DeSantis, the reason they are willing to take on the responsibility is because they believe it is not just a problem exclusive to Texas, but rather a problem that affects all of America. DeSantis argues that the Federal government has failed in addressing the issue adequately, and in fact, has contributed to the current predicament.
According to DeSantis, fentanyl is frequently mixed with other recreational drugs, leading to an increase in overdoses and essentially poisoning individuals.
According to DeSantis, there is a concerning possibility that individuals may unknowingly purchase pills that have been contaminated with fentanyl. This is especially dangerous because even consuming just one of these pills could potentially be fatal.
According to DeSantis, the crisis can be attributed to the Biden administration, but the new legislation aims to address this issue by providing greater safety for first responders in their roles.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed concern over the Biden administration’s failure to secure the southern border, which has led to an alarming increase in encounters with fentanyl by law enforcement officers. In an effort to protect these officers and combat the opioid epidemic, DeSantis announced the signing of legislation aimed at enhancing their safety on the job.
DeSantis has also increased the number of counties included in the state’s Coordinated Opioid Response network from 12 to 29.
“Opioid addiction has plagued the lives of countless Floridians and Americans across the nation,” expressed State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. He further emphasized, “Governor DeSantis and our legislators have been instrumental in our efforts to combat this devastating crisis. By expanding CORE’s services, we aim to help and heal more individuals in Florida, setting an example for other states to follow.”
