Panel Tackles Opioid Crisis

by Staff Report | Fall 2017

Florida Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala held a roundtable discussion at Palm Beach State College in August with lawmakers, local leaders and public safety officials to address Florida’s opioid crisis.

Among the panelists were Senate President Joe Negron, Sen. Kevin Rader and Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Melissa McKinlay.

Solutions proposed during the discussion included more beds and centers for treatment and recovery, funding for medical and emergency personnel, education programs, and counseling programs to assist families of addicts.

“If we want to be successful in stemming the tide of these tragic deaths, then we should consider all options,” said Dr. George Stoupas, associate professor in PBSC’s Addiction Studies program. “In this crisis, we need to keep people alive long enough to get help and make sure it’s available when they’re ready.”