SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida law-enforcement and public-health leaders on Wednesday unveiled a first-of-its-kind artificial-intelligence system designed to detect and warn communities about new drug threats before they become fatal.
The platform, called DrugAlert.ai was announced at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office alongside Sheriff Dennis Lemma and Project Overdose CEO Andrae Bailey. The system uses machine-learning to scan statewide drug data in real time, including toxicology screenings, EMS calls, arrest records and street-level intelligence, then issues alerts when dangerous substances emerge.
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Lemma said the system could change how agencies fight the overdose crisis.
“I’m convinced this will be the model that is used across the country,” Lemma said.
Project Overdose confirmed the system had already generated its first statewide DrugTRAC alert, after carfentanil, one of the most lethal synthetic opioids ever identified, was detected in multiple Florida counties, including Orange and Seminole.
Bailey said the AI platform closes a critical time gap that once left communities blind for months.
“Data we used to work with was six months to a year old,” Bailey said. “The data coming through this system will be no older than 24 hours.”
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Officials warned the technology is launching as Florida enters what researchers are calling the “fourth wave” of the overdose crisis, defined by mixtures of opioids, stimulants and synthetics that change too fast for human tracking.
Lemma said the tool allows police, hospitals and service providers to target resources faster and more precisely.
“Project Overdose has connected the dots like never before, public sector, private sector, the faith community, businesses, everybody is involved,” Lemma said.
Project Overdose confirmed Florida will use the alerts statewide and will issue targeted warnings ahead of large events, including next week’s EDC music festival, where officials anticipate increased drug activity.
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