By Justine Griffin
![With deaths from opioid abuse rising dramatically, state and national leaders have stepped up recently to acknowledge the crisis. But those on the front lines of the epidemic say the best thing they can do is provide money for much-needed treatment. [Times files]](http://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20171201/ARTICLE/312019989/AR/0/AR-312019989.jpg?MaxW=950)
The opioid epidemic has grabbed the spotlight of late, with state and national leaders promising action.
Gov. Rick Scott pledged in September to push for tighter prescription rules and budget $50 million for treatment and beefed up law enforcement. A month later, President Trump declared the epidemic a public health emergency and outlined some possible ways to fight addiction and make certain drugs less available.
But local advocates, medical professionals and researchers who work every day with those affected by opioid addiction are hesitant to celebrate until they see meaningful action.
“We certainly want to commend the governor that he’s recognizing that he needs to make a larger commitment to combat this epidemic,” said Anne Swerlick with the Florida Policy Institute in Tallahassee. “But both on the fiscal and policy side, the state has not opted to expand Medicaid, which would be leveraging millions of dollars to provide substance abuse programs for people in need.”
She worries that much of the $50 million Scott talked about would go to law enforcement, “which isn’t the same as providing people coverage for programs that have been proven to help.”
Scott’s office says the money would go toward statewide drug treatment, counseling and the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council, a program launched in 1993 to help local law enforcement agencies with violent crime or drug investigations.
The governor also plans to propose legislation that would limit opioid prescriptions to a three-day supply, or seven days under strict conditions; require those who prescribe or dispense medication to use a statewide database that monitors prescriptions; combat unlicensed pain management clinics; require health professionals to get and stay educated about opioids; and open the door for federal grants to help with the problem.
But Scott’s record has some people questioning his commitment. In 2011, he eliminated the Office of Drug Control and chose not to expand Medicaid. And state funding has fluctuated drastically over the years for organizations like Operation PAR in Tampa Bay, which provides drug treatment and mental health services for those dealing with addiction, said Marvin Coleman, the group’s vice president of community relations.
“We need more help along the lines of funding,” Coleman said. “In order to treat a client, we need the infrastructure in place to help them: the facility, the doctors, the nurses. It takes dollars. The public awareness of the issue is great. This crisis hits all corners, and so many people have been touched by this epidemic. But the only way to fight it is to fund treatment.”
Despite his doubts, Coleman said he’s hopeful. He said lawmakers are asking the right questions this year, and looking for the best ways to help and allocate money to programs with good track records.
“A lot of centers like us sustained budget cuts last year. Substance abuse centers are never at the top of the list,” Coleman said. “But they ended the last legislative session talking about the issue, and we hope they begin the next one by keeping this topic on the table.”
The 2018 session begins in January.