ORLANDO, Fla. — More help is on the way in Central Florida to fight overdoses.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in just the past year, 100,000 Americans have died from opioid overdoses, including nearly 8,000 people in Florida.
Central Florida will get at least $15 million from a settlement against the country’s largest pharmacies for their role in the opioid crisis. The money must be used on programs and methods to fight addiction, with organizations such as Project Opioid which is going to bars, nightclubs and restaurants downtown.
The goal is for businesses to add overdose prevention drugs to their kits.
Project Opioid is giving out stronger versions of Narcan and educating businesses on the signs of when someone needs it and how to use them.
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From the settlement, Orange County will get nearly $8 million, Seminole County gets $4 million, Osceola County gets nearly $7 million, Brevard County will get $6 million and Lake County will get $2 million.
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