MIAMI (WSVN) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott spoke about the state’s addiction to opioids during a South Florida stop on Wednesday, hours after he declared a public health emergency.
Scott’s announcement came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared a national opioid epidemic.
Scoot signed an executive order that will allow the state to draw more than $27 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant that provides prevention, treatment and recovery support services.
The governor spoke about the pressing issue at Rick Case Kia in Sunrise. “I had them declare the emergency. On top of it, the Trump administration has been helpful. They’ve allocated resources to us,” he said.
In addition to declaring a public health emergency, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip will issue a standing order for Naloxen, an emergency treatment for opioid overdose, ensuring first responders have immediate access to the lifesaving drug.
Scott’s appearance at Rick Case Kia was the latest stop on his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” tour. “What I’m going to try to do is continue to listen to people,” he said. “There’s no easy answer to this, no easy answer on drug abuse.”
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