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FLORIDA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OF FLORIDA: Justice Department Awards Over $8.7 Million To Fight Opiod Crisis, Combat Drugs And Crime In North Florida

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U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida issued the following announcement on Dec. 17.

The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced awards of more than $8,742,871 to help public safety and public health professionals in the Northern District of Florida combat substance abuse and respond effectively to overdoses, part of $333 million awarded nationwide to help communities affected by the opioid crisis. The awards were announced by OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan.

“The opioid crisis has destroyed far too many lives and left too many Americans feeling helpless and hopeless,” Sullivan said. “This epidemic—the most deadly in our nation’s history—is introducing new dangers and loading public health responsibilities onto the public safety duties of our law enforcement officers. The Department of Justice is here to support them during this unprecedented and extremely challenging time.”

With more than 130 people dying from opioid-related overdoses every day, the Department of Justice has made fighting addiction to opioids—including heroin and fentanyl—a national priority. The Trump Administration is providing critical funding for a wide range of activities— from preventive services and comprehensive treatment to recovery assistance, forensic science services, and research—to help save lives and break the cycle of addiction and crime.

“Winning the fight against opioid addiction will require not just effective law enforcement, but also a comprehensive and coordinated approach from community organizations and service providers at the local level,” said Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “These grants will go a long way to support the efforts of those combatting this plague in hometowns and neighborhoods across the Northern District of Florida.”

The awards announced support an array of activities designed to reduce the harm inflicted by these dangerous drugs. Grants will help law enforcement officers, emergency responders and treatment professionals coordinate their response to overdoses. Funds will also provide services for children and youth affected by the crisis and will support the nationwide network of drug and treatment courts. Other awards will address prescription drug abuse, expand the capacity of forensic labs, and support opioid-related research. Awards were made to three organizations in the Northern District of Florida:

-Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator $1,492,871

-Institute for Intergovernmental Research $6,000,000

-Big Brothers Big Sisters of America $1,250,000

Original source can be found here.

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