ORLANDO, Fla. – Fentanyl-caused deaths fell 12% in Florida in 2023, according to a new report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The annual Medical Examiners Commission Drug Report found drug-related deaths across the board in Florida were down 5% in 2023, with drug-related deaths down most categories.
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The drugs that caused the most deaths, according to medical examiners, were fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, ethyl alcohol and amphetamine.
Overall opioid-related deaths, which include drugs like fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone and heroin, fell 10% from the previous year.
The number of fentanyl-caused deaths fell to 4,962 in 2023, the lowest it’s been since 2019.
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Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody attributed the decrease to efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle drug operations, as well as efforts to help people who are addicted.
“We are losing 7,000 people a year to overdose,” Moody said. “That is almost 20 people per day here in Florida. So this is exciting progress, but it’s crucial to remember that our fight is not over, and our work is not done.”
The 2023 report also shows that fentanyl is no longer the most frequent drug to occur in people who died. Ethyl alcohol was the top substance to occur in decedents with 18.4%. Fentanyl occurred in 17.3% of decedents.
In 2022, fentanyl occurred in 18% of decedents, while ethyl alcohol occurred in 17.9%.
Moody is also asking people with loved ones dealing with a drug addiction to have Naloxone on hand, as it can counteract the effects of a drug addiction. It is available over the counter at pharmacies and other businesses across the state.
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