Mental health advocates in Florida say the state has a long way to go toward helping those struggling with their mental health. Help is needed right now during the holidays amid an omicron variant surge.
Florida overdose deaths spike 37% during pandemic, CDC data shows
Catherine Hawley reports
TAMPA, Fla. - Drug overdose deaths surged across the country in 2020, hitting a record high. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 93,000 people lost their lives.
In Florida, preliminary data from the CDC shows the death toll was up about 37% from 2019.
The alarming trend is being driven by an increase of the synthetic opioid fentanyl on the streets, and the coronavirus pandemic s impact on substance abuse and addiction. Not everyone received the support they needed. Addiction is literally wiping out my entire generation and the next generation at this point, said Stephen Sundquist with Clean Recovery Centers.