The Opioid Epidemic in Pinellas County

A look at the alarming statistics

Nation in Crisis

A Nation in Crisis. According to the CDC: 105,258 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States from February 2022 - February 2023. Approximately 8,000 of those drug overdose deaths occurred in Florida.

The Overdose Epidemic in Pinellas County

Overdose Deaths in Pinellas County - 2022. There were 597 Accidental Overdose Deaths in Pinellas County during 2022. 80% of those deaths were from opioids. That means that one person died form an overdose every 14 hours in Pinellas County.

Accidental Drug Overdoses are an Epidemic in Pinellas County. The number of accidental drug overdose deaths has been increasing every year since 2018. Graph showing accidental durg overdose deaths in Pinellas County.

Opioid Overdose Deaths Demographics - 2022. Decedent Demographics in Pinellas County - Sex (2022) donut chart and and Race (2022) bar chart. d73% of decedents were male and 91% of decedents were white.

Rising Opioid Deaths in Black Communities. Opioid-related deaths among Black individuals has dramatically increased throughout the years. In 2021, 91% more Black individuals died from opioids compared to 2020. While the number of overdose deaths has been steady since 2021, opioid addictions and overdoses remain harmful to Black communities. Bar chart of 2020-2022 Decedent Comparison Among Black Individuals in Pinellas County.

Emergency Response Transport and Visits

Emergency Medical Response Transports. Pinellas County first responders were called to 7,556 suspected drug overdoses between 2021-2022. As of May 2023, there have already been 5.343 suspected overdose transports. Pictures of emergency response transports.

Emergency Department Visits. Pinellas County Emergency Departments had 3,070 Opioid Overdose visits in 2022. As of March 2023, there have already been 678 Opioid Overdose visits. Picture of an emergency personnel with a stethoscope.

What are Opioids and Opiates?

What are Opioids and Opiates? Opiates are naturally derived from the poppy plant. Examples: Morphine, Codeine, Heroin. Opioids are all opiates and synthetic (man-made) opioids. Examples: Fentanyl, Methadone. Pictures of an opiate flower and Rx.

Opioids Change How the Brain Works. They create a feeling of relaxation and euphoria which can be addictive. When the brain gets flooded with opioids, the body slowly shuts down and can lead to a fatal overdose. Picture of a brain.

The risk of long-term opioid use sharply increases after five days of prescription opioid use. Long-term opioid use can lead to dependency and misuse. Picture of a pen and paper.

Fentanyl and Emerging Threats

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50-100 times stronger than heroin. What does a fatal dose of fentanyl look like? A picture of a penny and fatal dose for scale.

Lethal dose of fentanyl photo with a pencil for scale.

Florida Medical Examiner's District 6 (Pinellas & Pasco) is one of the top 3 districts in Florida for fentanyl-related deaths with a rate of 24 deaths per 100,000 people. Fentanyl overdose deaths have been increasing every year in Pinellas County. Photo of Pinellas County's geographic boundary.

There are over 100 different Fentanyl analogs (derivatives) that have been created. Fentanyl and its analogs are often mixed in other drugs like heroin and cocaine because of its potency and it is cheap to make. Many people who use drugs are unaware their supply may be mixed with fentanyl.

Xylazine is an Emerging Threat in Pinellas County. Xylazine is a veterinary medicine that has no accepted medical use on humans. It is combined with opioids like fentanyl to enhance the drug effect and it is cheap to make. Xylazine-related deaths in Medical Examiner District 6 (Pinellas & Pasco) have increased by 55% in 2022.

The Dangers of Polysubstance Overdose. Other substances, such as cathinones, stimulants, xylaxine, and other non-opioids, are being mixed into illicit drug supplies to maximize profit. In the event of a polysubstance overdose, naloxone may be ineffective in reversing an overdose.

Fake pills are easy to purchase and passed off as the real deal although they may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl and its analogs. Learn more about the Drug Enforcement Administration website: https://dea.gov. One pill can kill image.

Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction Saves Lives. It can be difficult to stop participating in high-risk activities such as substance strategies, like using use, but there is hope. Harm reduction clean needles or having naloxone available when using opioids, keep people safe until they are ready to quit. Find out more at: https://harmreduction.org/resource-center.

GET NALOXONE

Naloxone is not a permanent fix; the medication only works for 30-90 minutes. A person who has had an overdose should get medical care - they could overdose again if the drugs last in their body longer than naloxone does. Pictures of medication and dosages.

Get Trained! No-cost naloxone training is available to all interested groups or organizations. Training will provide an overview of current drug trends, situational awareness and resources to assist those suffering from substance use. A complimentary box of naloxone is provided. Contact: Dan Zsido. Lieutenant Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (Ret.) Drug Trends Educator and Naloxone Trainer Training and Education Director of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) danzsido@gmail.com 727-214-4922. Picture of Dan Zsido. This project described was supported by Grant Number H79TI08455 from the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the SAMHSA.

MOUD and MAT

Medical Interventions: MOUD and MAT. Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) treatment is used to normalize brain chemistry, block euphoric effects of opioids, and reduce cravings and withdrawls. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) treatment is a combination of MOUD and therapy to treat opioid use disorder and prevent overdoses.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Medications bind to the same receptors in the brain that opioids do. The main difference is they do not create the same "high" feeling and can help people live a stable live in recovery. Here are some examples of OUD Medications: Methadone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone. Image of how OUT Medications Work in the Brain.

Opioid Treatment Center Locations

Click on the + button below to zoom in and find treatment facilities in Pinellas County.

Next, click on the colored circles for an in-depth list of services, contact information and addresses for each location.

Opioid Treatment Center Locations

Syringe Service Program (IDEA)

IDEA Exchange Pinellas. In 2019, the Infectious Disease Elimination Act (IDEA) became law. It allows sterile needle and syringe exchange programs to legally operate in Florida preventing communicable disease spread, and providing free testing, counseling, and many additional resources for individuals in need. Location: 1525 16th Street South, St. Petersburg. Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 10am to 3pm. Phone: 727-954-3993. Email: info@ideapinellas.org. Go to https://www.facebook.com/IDEAExchangePinellas.

Partner Resource Guide

Partner Resource Guide. The Partner Resource Guide is a living document that collects and updates the various programs within Pinellas County to assist with finding the tools and resources specific to your, or your loved one's specific situation. You can download a FREE copy of this resource guide at: https://pinellas.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/wellness-programs/substance-use-prevention/resources/index.html. This guide is updated quarterly by the Office of Overdose Prevention. To report any inaccuracies or to be added please contact: PinellasOverdosePrevention@FLHealth.gov.

Pinellas County Opioid Task Force

Sources

National Center for Health Statistics. (2023). Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
District Six Medical Examiner’s Office. (2023, June 15) Drug-related Overdose Death [conference presentation]; Pinellas County Opioid Taskforce Meeting, Pinellas County, Fl, United States 2023; Pinellas County
Jordan, C. (2023, June 8). Pinellas County EMS & Fire Administration Compiled Data [Conference Presentation]; Pinellas County Quarterly Fusion Meeting, Pinellas County, FL, United States
Alak, M. (2023, June 15) Overdose Surveillance Update [conference presentation]; Pinellas County Opioid Taskforce Meeting, Pinellas County, Fl, United States 2023; Pinellas County
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Opioid Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/terms.html
National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2021. Prescription Opioids Drug Facts. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2017. Characteristics of Initial Prescription Episodes and Likelihood of Long-Term Opioid Use — United States, 2006–2015. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6610a1.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021. Fentanyl. https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html
(2023). Fentanyl. United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Fentanyl (dea.gov)
Florida Department of Law Enforcement. July 2023. Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). What You Should Know About Xylazine. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/other-drugs/xylazine/faq.html
National Harm Reduction Coalition. Harm Reduction Resource Center. Resource Center National Harm Reduction Coalition
National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2022. Naloxone Drug Facts. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2023. Medications for Substance Use Disorders. https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2022. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment
The Pew Charitable Trusts. 2016. Medication-Assisted Treatment Improves Outcomes for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2016/11/medication-assisted-treatment-improves-outcomes-for-patients-with-opioid-use-disorder