Florida has been hit by another increase in drug overdose deaths according to statistical data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The powerful opioid fentanyl remains the leading cause of the increase in opioid-related drug overdose deaths in Florida.

As the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic become clearer, one of the areas of great

concern is the rapid increase in drug overdose statistics for Florida cities. Harm reduction programs that aim to reduce the current negative impact of substance use disorder among Florida cities and communities combined with the efforts of drug rehab programs such as The Source that seek to treat the causes of addiction to establish lasting sobriety are key.

The State of Drug Overdoses in Florida

Drug overdose statistics for Florida cities reveal that from 2019 to 2020, the number of drug overdose deaths increased by 17 percent. While the number of drug-related deaths were stabilizing and even declining in some places before the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic has had a massive impact on mental health and since mental health disorders and addiction are closely linked, it has caused drug overdose statistics for Florida cities and the rest of the country to increase. 

Cities with the Highest Rates of Overdose

Every district in Florida experienced drug overdose deaths in 2020 but some cities were hit harder than the rest. The top 10 cities with the highest rates of drug overdoses in 2020 according to The Florida Department of Law Enforcement were as follows:

1. Fort Lauderdale – 642
2. West Palm Beach – 634
3. St. Petersburg – 591
4. Jacksonville – 588
5. Orlando – 405
6. Tampa – 339
7. Miami – 334
8. Daytona Beach – 301
9. Fort Myers – 288
10. Sarasota – 224

These drug overdose statistics for Florida cities give a glimpse of the drug-related problems that the state faces but thousands more suffer from an active addiction that requires addiction treatment to properly manage and overcome.

How to Prevent Drug Overdose

Preventing a fatal drug overdose can only be done through the overcoming of substance use disorder – the mental health disorder that drives a person to take drugs. With the rise of fake pills laced with fentanyl, any dose can be the last, and avoidance of drugs is the only safe way to prevent drug overdose. 

At The Source addiction treatment center, we offer programs that will treat the cause of addiction which lies in a person’s development, environment, and biology. Co-occurring mental health disorders – a biological cause of addiction – is a major cause of addiction and without treatment for it, the risk of relapse and overdose is high. 

By finding comprehensive addiction treatment at a drug rehab such as The Source, the door to lasting recovery can be opened. 

Helping a Loved One Find Addiction Treatment

If someone you care about is dealing with an addiction to drugs, you can help them to find the addiction treatment they need to overcome their substance use disorder. Support from loved ones can play a pivotal role in helping a person to beat addiction because it can be an isolating experience where loved ones have been pushed away and the person may be left feeling like they are alone with their problem.

At The Source, we will provide your loved one with a personalized addiction treatment plan that will guide them through their recovery starting with a medical detox and transitioning into behavioral therapy and holistic treatment programs to help the person to heal and overcome the issues that led them to this point. 

If someone you care about is facing an active addiction to drugs and you fear that they may fall victim to a drug overdose, then act now by calling The Source drug rehab center for residents of Florida.