Seminole County

DeSantis announces program to help those with opioid addiction, substance abuse in Florida

SANFORD, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a stop in Seminole County on Tuesday to announce the start of a new pilot program to help those battling opioid addiction and substance abuse.

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said opioid addiction is back on the rise because of COVID-19.

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The county has seen a 53% increase in overdoses since the pandemic began.

DeSantis announced a plan to fight back against the epidemic during a roundtable discussion at Seminole State College.

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The state plans to use $5 million from a grant by the U.S. Department of Labor for a new pilot program called “support to communities.”

This new pilot program will focus on connecting individuals who have been impacted by opioid abuse addiction and other substance use disorders with the resources they need to recover and find meaningful employment in their communities.

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Through a partnership with AdventHealth, the sheriff is working overtime to get the new Hope and Healing Center open across the street from the jail.

See the full report in the video above.

Jeff Levkulich

Jeff Levkulich, WFTV.com

Jeff Levkulich joined the Eyewitness News team as a reporter in June 2015.