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Florida lawmakers consider opioid crisis funding bill

Posted at 4:05 AM, Jan 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-11 23:12:05-05

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - As opioid-related deaths in Florida continue to skyrocket, Gov. Rick Scott and lawmakers have deemed the public-health crisis a top priority during the 60-day legislative session that began this week.

Scott wants to spend $53 million to address the issue, with much of the money going to substance-abuse treatment.

Legislative Democrats came forth with some ideas of their own, ranging from putting warning signs on prescriptions to charging additional court fees in drug-related cases.

Other ideas presented by Democratic lawmakers include reinstating the state office of drug control and increasing access to better substance abuse treatments for low-income Floridians who are on Medicaid.

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