TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The number of opioid and drug-related deaths in Florida decreased greatly in 2024, according to a Thursday press release from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. <\/p>\n
\u201cOverall, total drug-related deaths decreased by 14% in 2024, with opioid-caused deaths dropping 32% and fentanyl-caused deaths down 35%,\u201d the department said. <\/p>\n
Per the press release, the number has been on a downward trend since peaking in 2021. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier credits the decline to President Trump\u2019s \u201cswift action.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese results speak to the importance of President Trump\u2019s swift action to shut down our borders and declare the cartels as the foreign terrorist organizations that they are,\u201d Uthmeier said in the media release.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature brought tougher penalties for drug traffickers and ensured Florida was prepared to support the Trump Administration\u2019s priorities. My office will continue to seek long prison sentences for the criminals who bring these poisons into our communities and hold them accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said Gov. DeSantis\u2019s 2023 State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) program also played a role. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are incredibly encouraged to see these numbers continue to decline year after year. Thanks to initiatives like Governor DeSantis\u2019 2023 State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) program, our law enforcement agencies have access to additional resources which contributed to the sharp decrease in fentanyl-related deaths,\u201d Glass said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese results send a clear message: in Florida, we are steadfast in our commitment to protect our communities and will not allow harmful drugs to take hold.\u201d<\/p>\n
FDLE received the data from a Florida Medical Examiners Commission report<\/a> on the 2024 annual drugs identified in deceased persons. It also found that fentanyl was the leading drug involved in deaths in 2024, per the release.<\/p>\n Cocaine was the second leading drug, which fell 19% from 2023 and after that methamphetamine, which also dropped 24% from the previous year, according to the media release.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n