Orlando, Fla – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis joined faith and business leaders as well as elected officials in Orlando to participate in Project Opioid, the Central Florida initiative on opioid abuse. The Governor and First Lady were joined by Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and other community leaders at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.

“We need to do everything in our power to roll back the devastating effect the opioid epidemic has had on our state,” said Governor DeSantis. “In our Bold Vision for a Brighter Future Budget, we have nearly $2 billion in substance abuse prevention and mental health funding. Specifically, more than $123 million in funding was appropriated to help fight the opioid epidemic. Across our state, we’ve seen too many lives turned upside down and cut short by this epidemic. My administration will continue to prioritize this difficult issue.

“Partnering with our faith-based and community partners who know the needs of their citizens is key to achieving positive outcomes,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “As Chair of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet and through our Hope for Healing Florida campaign, we will continue to press forward to find real, workable and measurable approaches to help families.”

Photo Credit: Governor’s Press Office

Photo Credit: Governor’s Press Office

In April, the Governor signed Executive Order 19-97, to establish the Office of Drug Control. Florida was also awarded $26 million in federal funding for Florida’s State Opioid Response Project, which is designed to address the opioid crisis by reducing opioid deaths, preventing opioid abuse among young people, and increasing recovery services and access to treatment.

For a PDF copy of Executive Order 19-97, click HERE.

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