HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Since the opioid epidemic began, Florida has been hit hard by drug trafficking, with fentanyl and other narcotics continuing to claim lives across the state.

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Florida may pursue state charges against Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro 

Ellen Snelling of Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance believes that families affected might finally achieve justice.

Local advocates highlight the human toll of opioids

The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance recently received a $650,000 grant to expand education and prevention programs targeting youth and families throughout Tampa Bay.

Now, Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida is exploring whether it can pursue a state criminal case against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, building on existing federal charges that accuse him of conspiring with international drug traffickers.

State leaders argue that such action could strengthen efforts to disrupt the flow of lethal drugs into Florida.

Local advocacy groups say the move could be a critical step in saving lives.

Ellen Snelling, board chair of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, has seen the devastation firsthand. She lost her younger brother during the early days of the opioid epidemic — a loss that ultimately led her to advocacy.

“Drug abuse and addiction can happen in any family,” Snelling said. “Anyone who thinks that it can’t happen to them that is a huge fallacy.”

She recalls how her brother’s addiction began with prescription opioids before escalating.

“He worked for the airlines, hurt his back and got on OxyContin, and that was the beginning of the end for him,” Snelling said. “He was able to successfully have treatment several times, but eventually went back to heroin. And unfortunately, it was laced with fentanyl. He had no idea, I’m sure, and they just could not save him.”

The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance works to educate the community on the dangers of opioids and other narcotics while connecting people to recovery resources. Snelling says the possibility of state-level charges against Maduro sends an important message.

“If we can really go after the flow of meth, fentanyl and cocaine into this country — and go after these international drug traffickers — I think we will save so many lives,” she said.

According to the Florida Department of Health, Hillsborough County recorded approximately 538 drug overdose deaths in 2023, with about 432 involving opioids, accounting for the majority of fatalities. While Snelling notes overdose deaths in the Tampa Bay area have decreased in recent years, she says the crisis remains far from over.

“So we are very excited about it,” she said of the recent decline.

Snelling stresses that addiction does not discriminate.

“Every demographic, every type of person, every socioeconomic group, it doesn’t discriminate,” she said. “I see my brother Andrew in a lot of other people. It’s really sad because it’s a life with so much potential. It was my youngest brother. I never thought he would pass away before me.”

She adds that many overdose deaths are preventable.

“I know people who lose their children to drugs, and it is just a preventable death. We have to do everything we can to stop drugs from coming into our families and destroying our children’s lives,” Snelling said.

The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance recently received a $650,000 grant to expand education and prevention programs targeting youth and families throughout Tampa Bay. Snelling says the funding is vital, but sustained efforts at every level — local, state and international — are necessary to truly address the crisis.