Fentanyl

Whether xylazine is leading to more deaths — as suggested by officials in Washington — is not yet clear. In fact, some early data suggests the drug may inadvertently be diluting the effects of fentanyl.

The strips have the CDC's support to help prevent overdoses but are still technically illegal in some states under drug paraphernalia laws dating back decades. Florida's bill awaits the governor's signature.

As in other states, including Florida, California officials are stepping up efforts to combat the spread of xylazine, a powerful animal sedative that’s increasingly being used by people, often with devastating results

Lawmakers have been debating whether and how to stiffen punishments for dealers, while Gov. Gavin Newsom is targeting fentanyl trafficking and distributing more naloxone. The problem, experts say, is one with no easy or clear answers.

Opvee is similar to naloxone, the life-saving drug that has been used for decades to quickly counter overdoses of heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers.

Florida was among eight states that had sizeable decreases after reporting some of the highest overdose death rates. But experts caution that overdose deaths could rise again due to things like scaling back telehealth services.

A Florida police department says Narcan saved an officer suffering an overdose. Other cops regularly report being poisoned while encountering trace amounts of fentanyl. Some researchers have doubts.

Law enforcement, firefighters and paramedics can apply to get free naloxone at select Walmart pharmacies in Florida.

Researchers hope to enroll 1,000 adult drug users to study the effects on overdoses, to estimate their costs and to gauge potential savings for the health care and criminal justice systems.

The bill is meant to address fears that dealers are targeting young people with candy-colored fentanyl, but experts say there's little evidence that's happening. They worry more jail time won't solve the state's drug problem.