OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – The Osceola Opioid Task Force has recently unveiled their final recommendations on how the county should allocate over $12 million they will receive over the next 18 years to combat the opioid epidemic.
“In 2008, the state of Florida filed a lawsuit against five opioid manufacturers and four opioid distributors. The settlement from this lawsuit resulted in a fund that will be available at the local, state, and federal levels to address the opioid epidemic,” said Vianca McCluskey, the chairperson of the task force.
Housing & Community Services Director Danicka Ransom, who was also in the task force, said for months the taskforce engaged with dozens of local organizations and focus groups to ensure their recommendations would meet the community’s needs.
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“One of the recommendations was to increase support for recovery housing. Also, to make sure patients have access to transportation,” said Ransom. These recommendations reflect the taskforce’s commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges of the opioid crisis, including the need for stable housing and transportation for those in recovery.
The funds will also support organizations like Children Athletes & Artists Involved in Recreational Events (CAAIRE) which works with nearly 3,500 kids annually to help them avoid drug use.
“We welcome those resources to come into our organization. So we can continue to fight this battle and make sure we don’t have students who are using or their family members,” said Denita Pimienta, executive cirector of CAAIRE.
She highlighted the critical role this funding could play in their efforts to support children who are indirectly affected by the opioid crisis through their families.
“You ask a child to sit in school and to learn, but you know that their mom or dad is suffering with substance abuse disorder. Can that child be, and what could they pour back into the community when they have all the weight they’re bearing from the situation at home?”
Osceola County officials have already secured a little over $2.5 million in funds. They plan to open applications for organizations to apply for funding later this year.