Moms to hold vigil on International Drug Overdose Day honoring lives lost to substance abuse
They’re moms on a mission. Wednesday night, the local Moms Against Drugs group will be holding a vigil to remember the lives lost to substance abuse as the Sunshine Skyway Bridgeglows purple for International Drug Overdose Day.
Law enforcement officials worry 'rainbow fentanyl' could be targeting children
A new kind of fentanyl is hitting the streets and law enforcement worry it may be targeting children. It's known as "rainbow fentanyl" and just days ago border agents in Arizona seized nearly 1 million fentanyl pills including thousands of "rainbow-colored tablets."
Parents seek drug dealer in daughter’s death, offer reward: ‘No questions asked’
Robert Gilliam says he and his wife are putting drug dealers on notice after their 22-year-old daughter died from an overdose.
Rick Scott pitches bill aimed at improving opioid epidemic response from federal goverment
Senator Rick Scott was in Pinellas County to meet with Tampa Bay sheriff's Tuesday. The meeting was mostly focused on the raging opioid epidemic with the senator pitching a new bill aimed at improving the federal government's response.
‘Our kids are dying’: Medical providers, elected officials discuss opioid crisis solutions
Community leaders, including Congressman Gus Bilirakis, met Wednesday night to talk solutions about the growing opioid crisis.
Florida appoints first-ever ‘director of opioid recovery’ to help combat addiction
According to state officials, nearly 2,000 people have died from overdoses in Florida so far this year.
Florida attorney general calling on Biden to classify fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody wrote a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.
Fentanyl risk from $1 bill? Drug safety expert dispels myths about second-hand exposure
In a viral Facebook post, a Kentucky woman says she had to be hospitalized after picking up a dollar bill from the ground that she thinks was laced with the drug fentanyl.
Lauren Boebert introduces bill to classify fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction
GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, a freshman representing Colorado’s 3rd district, is pushing to classify the synthetic opioid fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.
Florida opioid settlements encourages those who've faced addiction, lost loved ones
Walgreens has agreed to pay the Florida more than $680 million to settle a lawsuit claiming the company played a role in the opioid crisis. It's a major court victory in the state's battle against opioid addiction.
Walgreens to pay $680 million in Florida's opioid case settlement
Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the settlement Thursday morning, saying the settlement brings the total amount secured from pharmaceuticals to more than $3 billion.
Florida takes on Walgreens in Pasco County court over deadly opioid crisis
Opening statements are set to get underway Monday in Pasco County as the state goes head-to-head with Walgreens. Florida's Attorney General says the company played a role in the deadly opioid epidemic.
Florida vs. Walgreens: Trial over state’s opioid epidemic begins Monday in Pasco County
The state of Florida is taking on one of the largest pharmacies in the country as it tries to prove Walgreens helped fuel the Sunshine State’s opioid epidemic.
Florida vs. Walgreens: Trial over deadly opioid crisis takes center stage in Pasco County courtroom
A drug distribution center sold 2.2 million tablets to a single Walgreens pharmacy in Hudson, coming out to be a roughly six-month supply for each of its 12,000 residents, according to the state. Court records say Walgreens also increased drug orders by as much as 600%.
Florida reaches opioid settlements topping $870 million
With jury selection scheduled to begin next week in the state’s lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers, Attorney General Ashley Moody reached settlements totaling more than $870 million with nearly all of the defendants in the case.
'Always be cautious': Fentanyl, cocaine pills disguised as Tylenol seized by Ohio police
Police in Lorain, Ohio, shared a photo of a seized fentanyl pill pressed with what appears to look like the word “Tylenol.”
Spring breakers warned of possible mass overdose after fentanyl-laced drugs appear in Florida
Thousands of people are out for spring break in Tampa Bay and a recent rash of fentanyl-laced overdoses in Florida has anti-drug advocates worried.
Florida AG issues warning after overdoses linked to fentanyl-laced drugs
Florida’s Attorney General is issuing a warning after five West Point cadets overdosed on fentanyl last week while on spring break in the Fort Lauderdale area.
CDC proposes change to opioid prescription guidelines
The nation’s top public health agency is proposing changing — and in some instances, softening — guidelines for doctors prescribing opioid painkillers.
New synthetic opioid found in Pasco, '20 times more potent' than fentanyl
A string of overdoses led Pasco County deputies to discover a new synthetic opioid was on their streets. The drug called 'iso' is 20 times stronger than fentanyl, can be absorbed by skin contact, and appears to be resistant to Narcan, making it even more deadly.