Seniors most impacted by opioids
FOX 13’s Briona Arradondo explains the push for opioid restoration and prevention within the Tampa Bay space.
TAMPA – New information from the Florida Division of Well being and FDLE reveals seniors within the Tampa Bay area are dying at increased charges from opioid overdoses than younger individuals, in keeping with the nonprofit Reside Tampa Bay.
“What is exclusive to our space is the persistence of individuals 65 and older dying. I believe within the creativeness of most individuals together with myself earlier than wanting on the information I might suppose that a median one that suffers from substance abuse is possibly 20s, 30-year-olds,” mentioned Jennifer Webb, CEO of Reside Tampa Bay. “The highest cohort that’s dying is the prime workforce age group, which is 35 to 54. However the second-largest group cohort are our seniors.”
Addressing the quantity of rising opioid deaths amongst seniors residents within the Tampa Bay space.
Webb leads Reside Tampa Bay, a nonprofit that focuses on habit remedy and restoration assets. She mentioned FDOH and FDLE just lately launched their information for 2023, and the information reveals deaths are growing during the last three years of information in relation to seniors.
Florida handed a legislation in 2018 limiting the availability of opioids to a few days, or a seven-day provide if sure circumstances are met.
What they’re saying:
“Are these individuals within the suburbs who’re silently struggling? Are these people on the road who’ve been utilizing intravenous medication for a very long time? Are these grandparents who’ve power ache who overtake ache medication?” mentioned Webb.
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However she mentioned outreach in Tampa Bay is missing.
“We have to perceive what’s occurring with this inhabitants, after which we have to develop packages with them particularly in thoughts,” mentioned Webb.
That is the place Hillsborough County’s Well being Care Companies is available in.
“We all know with the Hillsborough County medical expert’s workplace that 400 to 600 individuals yearly overdose right here in Hillsborough County,” mentioned Kevin Wagner, the director of well being care providers with Hillsborough County authorities.
Wagner mentioned this month the county needs program submissions for training, prevention, remedy and restoration.
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“I believe we will do a greater job on the training and prevention alternative. We actually wish to cut back the stigma,” mentioned Wagner.
He mentioned they are going to be funded over two years utilizing $25 million from a class-action settlement towards pharmaceutical firms’ position within the opioid disaster, a part of $127 million the county will recover from the subsequent 18 years.
Each Wagner and Webb have private ties to the epidemic.
“My stepsister died about 4 years in the past. She had valium laced with fentanyl, and he or she took it and overdosed,” mentioned Wagner.
Reside Tampa Bay plans to use. Webb mentioned it is a lifeline for the group and businesses that serve them.
Addressing the quantity of rising opioid deaths amongst seniors residents within the Tampa Bay space.
“It impacted my household, and we misplaced my little sister to the opioid epidemic. So, it’s actually necessary that we come collectively as a group proper now and get this cash out the door,” mentioned Webb.
Organizations have till Feb. 26 by 5 p.m. to apply.
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The Supply: Info for this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Briona Arradondo.
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