Responding to a shocking surge of drug overdose deaths in Sarasota County, Congressman Vern Buchanan said today he will seek extra funding for drug treatment and prevention in the next coronavirus relief bill. Buchanan said figures he requested from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s office reveal that 29 opioid fatalities have already been recorded for the first six months of this year — more than double the 13 in all of 2019. The number of non-fatal overdoses also skyrocketed, according to the Sheriff’s office from 88 in all of 2019 to 121 in the first six months of this year.

National experts blame the coronavirus pandemic at least in part for the increase in drug overdoses saying that the virus has worsened feelings of anxiety, social isolation and depression. The White House’s drug policy office has also pointed to economic uncertainties and precautions such as quarantines and lockdowns as exacerbating the drug crisis. Additionally, reports have found that some treatment centers and recovery programs have been forced to close or scale back during the coronavirus.

“The spike in drug overdoses in our region during the coronavirus pandemic is tragic and alarming,” Buchanan said. “We have to get treatment to those in need both in Southwest Florida and across the country. As we continue to combat the coronavirus we need to make sure we are addressing other health impacts exacerbated by this pandemic.” 

Buchanan continued, “The opioid crisis has destroyed too many families and lives. We cannot forget about this crisis even during the coronavirus pandemic. I will continue my work in Congress to make sure Florida has the resources it needs to help save lives and fight this epidemic.”