TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody joined state and local health officials at an event in Seminole County to recognize Florida’s first Revive Awareness Day. The day aims to highlight the dangers of opioid misuse and the life-saving potential of naloxone. During the event, Attorney General Moody announced increased participation in Helping Heroes, a program she initiated to provide free naloxone to first responders statewide.
"Revive Awareness Day shines a light on the dangers of opioid misuse and the power of naloxone to save lives," said Attorney General Moody. "One year ago, we launched Helping Heroes as part of our historic multibillion-dollar opioid litigation efforts to provide first responders access to free naloxone at more than 100 participating locations throughout the state."
Over recent years, more than 100,000 Americans have died annually from drug overdoses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 7,000 Floridians succumbed to drug overdoses in 2023. A recent report revealed that law enforcement seized over 115 million counterfeit prescription pills containing Mexican fentanyl in 2023—enough to potentially kill every American citizen. The report also indicated that Florida leads the nation in fentanyl seizures. A Drug Enforcement Administration study claims that currently 7 out of 10 counterfeit prescription pills seized contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. With fentanyl being found in other illicit drugs, Attorney General Moody is urging Floridians never to use illicit substances, stating that "just one pill can kill."
The Helping Heroes program was established by Attorney General Moody one year ago. It provides participating Florida first responders and law enforcement officers with access to free naloxone at 106 Walmart stores across the state. Since its inception, over 100 agencies have enrolled in the program.
Helping Heroes is funded through an agreement stemming from Attorney General Moody’s significant opioid litigation efforts. In 2022, she announced securing over $3 billion for abatement efforts in Florida.
Additionally, Attorney General Moody launched the One Pill Can Kill webpage to raise awareness about illicit fentanyl being mixed with other substances such as cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamines.
To further educate Floridians on opioid misuse dangers, Attorney General Moody developed the Dose of Reality Florida website. This site offers information on addiction support and safe disposal methods for unused prescription drugs.
Floridians struggling with addiction can find treatment options using the Treatment Atlas tool available at TreatmentAtlas.org.
# # #