Escambia County is gearing up to launch a new addiction stabilization program.
It’s part of Florida’s new Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) network, which is aimed at curbing the ongoing opioid epidemic.
Locally, there’s a desperate need.
“Escambia County, unfortunately, ranks number one in overdose and death related to fentanyl, heroin, opioid, cocaine,” declared Chandra Smiley, CEO of Community Health Northwest Florida, in reference to statewide data from 2019 and 2020.
“So, we definitely have a significant problem here in Escambia County.”
Locally, Community Health and partner organizations including Escambia County Emergency Medical Services, the county’s three hospitals and Florida Department of Health in Escambia have been meeting for several weeks to get organized.