In July alone, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized enough fentanyl to kill the entire U.S. population, and we know even more is getting through undetected. It takes just two milligrams of this highly toxic substance to kill a full-grown adult. Recent reports suggest that nearly half of all counterfeit pills seized by law enforcement contain this deadly drug.
Fentanyl is now the number one killer of American adults 18 to 45, and mass casualty events are becoming more common. On Fourth of July weekend in Gadsden County, 19 people overdosed. Later that same month, seven people were found unresponsive in Tampa on one day. During spring break, six students, four of whom were West Point cadets, overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine in Wilton Manors.
This toxic, synthetic opioid is so dangerous that it can cause harm to those who don’t even intentionally use it. In the case involving West Point cadets, two of the overdose victims suffered medical complications after simply administering first aid to other overdose victims.
The threat fentanyl poses to our state and nation is real. There is also growing concern that it could be weaponized, so I am renewing my demands that President Joe Biden classify illicit fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction—and I am leading a bipartisan coalition of 18 attorneys general in this nationwide push.
I want to encourage all Floridians to never use any illicit drug and if they see something suspicious, contact law enforcement by calling 1(855) FLA-SAFE.
Stay safe, Florida.
In The News
'Weapon of mass destruction': Florida AG, law enforcement leaders urge Floridians to fight against fentanyl, CBS 10 Tampa Bay
Attorney General Ashley Moody, multiple law enforcement agencies warn of Fentanyl crisis in Tampa Bay, ABC Action News
18 AGs call on Biden to classify illicit fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction, The Center Square
Florida Attorney General warns of growing fentanyl problem, WFLA Tampa
Border Patrol chief says memo clearing migrant release into US after Title 42 end is unprecedented, FOX News
Lutz man arrested for possession of child sexual abuse materials, Suncoast News
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Leads Bipartisan Effort Calling on President Biden to Declare Fentanyl a Weapon of Mass Destruction
Attorney General Ashley Moody and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong are leading a multistate, bipartisan effort of 18 attorneys general urging President Biden to classify illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The drug is claiming a record number of lives across the country and continues to flow freely through the southwest border. In July alone, Read More
Attorney General Moody Thanks Florida’s More Than 6,400 Highway Heroes During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Attorney General Ashley Moody is recognizing the Highway Heroes program during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Attorney General Moody partnered with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to launch the Highway Heroes campaign in October 2020, training truck drivers to spot and report human trafficking. Since the launch, more than 6,400 drivers received anti-human trafficking training and are now better equipped to help keep an eye on Florida’s 12,000 miles of highways.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This week, we say thank you to all of Florida’s professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in undertaking one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs. Additionally, we show our gratitude to the more than 6,400 drivers who have gone the extra mile to receive expert training through our Highway Heroes program about how to effectively spot and report signs of human trafficking. Our state is a safer place because of these Highway Heroes.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody held a security briefing in Tampa with drug policy experts, Families Against Fentanyl and Florida law enforcement leaders to address the growing threat fentanyl poses to public safety.
