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The Supreme Court rejects a nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma
Read full article: The Supreme Court rejects a nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue PharmaThe Sackler family members who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma say they're disappointed in the Supreme Court's rejection of a nationwide settlement that would've shielded them from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids but also would've provided billions of dollars to combat the epidemic.
‘Every single life matters:’ Naloxone Awareness Day promotes awareness of life-saving medications
Read full article: ‘Every single life matters:’ Naloxone Awareness Day promotes awareness of life-saving medicationsOrange County is recognizing the push for life-saving medication in the ongoing fight against the opioid epidemic.
Overdose deaths drop, Narcan gets results, Project Opioid says
Read full article: Overdose deaths drop, Narcan gets results, Project Opioid saysNonprofit Project Opioid announced on Monday that overdoses have finally fallen and the wide availability of naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is the reason why.
41 arrests, 1.5M doses of fentanyl seized in trafficking bust in Volusia, Lake counties
Read full article: 41 arrests, 1.5M doses of fentanyl seized in trafficking bust in Volusia, Lake countiesA multi-agency operation led to the arrests of more than 41 people in several Central Florida counties for trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and other drugs, the Volusia sheriff Mike Chitwood said.
More sanctions for deadly fentanyl if bill becomes law
Read full article: More sanctions for deadly fentanyl if bill becomes lawOver the course of a year, the U.S. Treasury Department has used the hammer of its sanctions powers to impose wide-ranging financial restrictions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, turning Russia into the most sanctioned country in the world.
When parents struggle with drug addiction this Central Florida charity steps in to help children
Read full article: When parents struggle with drug addiction this Central Florida charity steps in to help childrenOften so much attention is focused on the people who are struggling with addiction and so little on the children who are affected when their parents get involved with drugs.
‘I couldn’t breathe:’ Tavares officer who overdosed in traffic stop recounts fentanyl exposure
Read full article: ‘I couldn’t breathe:’ Tavares officer who overdosed in traffic stop recounts fentanyl exposureA Tavares police officer who was revived with NARCAN after being exposed to fentanyl during a traffic stop is speaking about her experience.
Video shows Tavares officer overdose after being exposed to fentanyl during traffic stop
Read full article: Video shows Tavares officer overdose after being exposed to fentanyl during traffic stopA Tavares police officer overdosed and was transported to the hospital after being exposed to fentanyl Tuesday during a traffic stop, according to the department.
DEA: Fake pills containing fentanyl helping drive OD deaths
Read full article: DEA: Fake pills containing fentanyl helping drive OD deathsFederal officials say an increasing number of fake prescription pills containing potentially deadly fentanyl are helping drive overdose death rates to record levels in the U.S. And officials warn that some of the pills are being manufactured in rainbow colors designed to look like candy.
Florida marks Overdose Awareness Day, ships naloxone to some county health departments
Read full article: Florida marks Overdose Awareness Day, ships naloxone to some county health departmentsThe Florida Department of Health announced a new opioid recovery initiative in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day, sending hundreds of naloxone kits to the health departments of 16 counties.
Central Florida community observes International Overdose Awareness Day
Read full article: Central Florida community observes International Overdose Awareness DayLocal leaders came together with families Wednesday to mourn those lost to overdose deaths and look toward solutions for those struggling with opioids.
Woman shares recovery story years after an overdose in Volusia County
Read full article: Woman shares recovery story years after an overdose in Volusia CountyNearly five years ago, Kimberly McCaffrey-Noel was arrested by deputies in Volusia County when they found her unconscious in a car, with her baby in the backseat.
Accused drug dealer arrested after accidentally calling Flagler County commissioner
Read full article: Accused drug dealer arrested after accidentally calling Flagler County commissionerAn accused Flagler County drug dealer got a big surprise over the weekend when deputies say he accidentally texted a county commissioner to try to sell drugs.
UCF distributes Narcan for free to students, staff to prevent opioid overdoses
Read full article: UCF distributes Narcan for free to students, staff to prevent opioid overdosesThe University of Central Florida is the first in Central Florida, and the first public university in the state, to give students and staff the power to save their own lives if they’re overdosing.
‘It’s like Russian roulette:’ Seminole sheriff explains how fentanyl is fueling deadly opioid crisis
Read full article: ‘It’s like Russian roulette:’ Seminole sheriff explains how fentanyl is fueling deadly opioid crisisSeminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma sat down with anchor Justin Warmoth on “The Weekly” to break down how the opioid epidemic has evolved over the years and what it’s going to take to get the crisis under control.
A race against the clock: Orlando overdose detectives get time back
Read full article: A race against the clock: Orlando overdose detectives get time backSince the Orlando Police Department's Overdose Unit was created a little more than a year ago, it has made almost a hundred arrests of drug dealers who've sold deadly and potentially deadly doses of opioids.
Project Opioid to launch advocacy program in Central Florida
Read full article: Project Opioid to launch advocacy program in Central FloridaProject Opioid, a Florida-based initiative team that works alongside the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, is set to introduce a new advocacy campaign next week, according to a news release.
Report shows historic increase in opioid overdose deaths in Central Florida
Read full article: Report shows historic increase in opioid overdose deaths in Central FloridaA Florida-based initiative teamed up with the Seminole County Sheriff’s office Wednesday to release a new report about a historic rise in local opioid overdose deaths.
CDC data shows increase in overdose deaths in Florida, nationwide
Read full article: CDC data shows increase in overdose deaths in Florida, nationwideAs the coronavirus pandemic raged on, the CDC said nearly 100,000 people lost their lives to drugs in 12 months with almost 10% of the overdose deaths reported happened in Florida, according to the data.
Man faces murder charge in Flagler County years after victim’s overdose death
Read full article: Man faces murder charge in Flagler County years after victim’s overdose deathA man was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder more than two years after another man died from an opioid overdose in Flagler County.
Florida man caught in drug conspiracy bust faces life in prison if convicted, feds say
Read full article: Florida man caught in drug conspiracy bust faces life in prison if convicted, feds sayA man from Lake County could face life in prison after getting arrested on federal drug conspiracy charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
Community leaders looking to stop opioid overdose deaths, blame pandemic
Read full article: Community leaders looking to stop opioid overdose deaths, blame pandemicORLANDO, Fla. – Church leaders and law enforcement are working together to address the rise in overdose deaths within the last year. “What we are seeing is a perfect storm of the previous overdose crisis now colliding with COVID-19 and driving the numbers of deaths from overdose to historic levels,” Andrae Bailey, CEO of Project Opioid said. Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, a coach for Project Opioid, said they are working to bring more community programs to reach those struggling with opioid addiction. “We’ve incorporated a lot in various programs in Seminole County and this project with project opioid brings the faith community together, the business community together and the public sector to come up with real reasonable solutions,” Lemma said. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.
Second man faces murder charges after woman’s overdose death
Read full article: Second man faces murder charges after woman’s overdose deathSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A man now faces a murder charge for supplying the drugs that caused a 19-year-old woman’s death, according to the state attorney’s office. David Hare was indicted Jan. 15, on a charge of first-degree murder by distribution of a controlled substance. Ackerman died Jan. 22, 2020, after doing drugs with Daniel Bachert, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say that Bachert noticed Ackerman was in distress but waited more than four hours to take her to the hospital. Jessica Ackerman and Daniel Bachert (Seminole County Sheriff's Office)Bachert provided the fentanyl to Ackerman but he received it from Hare, according to a news release from the state attorney’s office.