DeSantis Moves to Tackle the Fentanyl Crisis

Photo byGage Skidmore

Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill to decriminalize fentanyl tests.

DeSantis approved a bipartisan proposal decriminalizing an easy and affordable method of testing potentially hazardous chemicals for deadly fentanyl.

Fentanyl is one of the most controversial chemicals in modern history. It's a hundred times more potent than morphine and responsible for 100,000 overdoses a year, according to CDC.

Saving American lives

The bill (SB 164), unanimously adopted by both chambers of the Legislature, removes fentanyl test strips from Florida's list of prohibited drug paraphernalia.

According to Parkland Democratic Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, the measure will give individuals an affordable, simple option to prevent exposure to the risky, very potent synthetic opioid.

Hunschofsky co-introduced a similar House version of the measure with Fort Pierce Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy in January.

Trabulsy emphasized the importance of test strips in assisting individuals in determining whether a drug contains fentanyl, which is otherwise undetectable.

Trabulsy was key in moving the proposal covertly in the GOP-dominated Legislature.

The law becomes effective on July 1.

According to Polsky, her proposal offers a practical way to lessen the harm that has received widespread support from the medical profession.

The Department of Health reports that more than 6,150 persons in Florida passed away in 2020 as a result of fentanyl overdoses and that the drug's potency is around 50–100 times more than that of morphine.

Some people think that fentanyl only poses a risk to regular users of illicit drugs, but Trabulsy said this is far from the case.

National legislators have attempted to lift the restriction on the test strips. Some have succeeded over the past few years, including those in Arizona, Maine, Delaware, Massachusetts, Nevada, Minnesota, New Mexico, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Up until last month, Florida saw no success with such initiatives.

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