Combating the Opioid Crisis in Sanford, FL: Sheriff John E. Polk’s SCORE Initiative

The opioid crisis is a significant public health issue affecting communities across the nation, and Sanford, Florida, is no exception. Under the leadership of Sheriff John E. Polk, Seminole County has implemented a comprehensive and collaborative initiative known as SCORE – Seminole Collaborative Opioid Response Efforts – to combat this epidemic head-on. SCORE represents a proactive approach to saving lives by addressing opioid overdoses, addiction, and related issues within the community. This initiative focuses on a three-pronged strategy of Prevention, Enforcement, and Treatment (P.E.T.), aiming to create a seamless pipeline of support for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder.

Understanding the SCORE Mobile Response Team

A critical component of the SCORE initiative is the Mobile Response Team (MRT). This team plays a vital role in directly engaging with individuals who have experienced opioid overdoses and are receiving treatment in local Emergency Departments. The MRT acts as a bridge, connecting these individuals with the resources and support they need to begin their journey to recovery.

The MRT’s process involves several key steps:

1. Patient Contact and Engagement: Upon being alerted to a patient in the Emergency Department who has overdosed on opioids, the MRT makes contact with the individual. They introduce the SCORE initiative and its objectives, engaging in a compassionate conversation to gauge the patient’s willingness to consider treatment.
2. Voluntary Treatment Assessment: If the patient expresses a willingness to pursue treatment, the MRT works to identify the most appropriate treatment option based on the individual’s specific needs. This personalized approach ensures that patients are directed to services that align with their situation and increase their chances of successful recovery.
3. Follow-up and Continued Support: For patients who initially decline treatment, the MRT does not simply abandon the effort. Recognizing that the decision to seek help can be complex and may take time, the team follows up with the patient within 24-48 hours of their discharge from the Emergency Department. This follow-up provides another opportunity to discuss treatment options and offer support, demonstrating a sustained commitment to helping individuals even if they are initially hesitant.
4. Facilitated Treatment Access: When a patient accepts treatment, the MRT goes the extra mile to ensure a smooth transition into a SCORE treatment facility. The team accompanies and facilitates transportation for the patient directly from the Emergency Department, removing potential barriers and making the process as seamless as possible.
5. Peer Support and Guidance: Recognizing the power of lived experience in recovery, the SCORE initiative incorporates Peer Counselors into the MRT. These counselors serve as “coaches” for patients throughout the entire treatment process. Their personal understanding of addiction and recovery provides invaluable support, encouragement, and guidance, fostering trust and hope for individuals navigating the challenges of overcoming opioid use disorder.

Image alt text: SCORE Initiative Logo – Seminole Collaborative Opioid Response Efforts led by Sheriff John E. Polk in Sanford, FL, symbolizing community action against opioid crisis.

For anyone seeking information about opioids or needing assistance with treatment, the SCORE non-emergency line is available at (407) 665-6650. You can also reach the team via email at [email protected].

Opioids: Understanding the Risks and Dangers

To effectively combat the opioid crisis, it’s crucial to understand what opioids are and the significant risks associated with their use. Opioids are a class of drugs that encompass both legally prescribed pain relievers and illicit substances like heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Common prescription opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), Dilaudid, Demerol, codeine, morphine, and methadone.

These drugs share a common mechanism of action: they interact with opioid receptors in the brain and body’s nerve cells. This interaction effectively blocks pain signals, providing pain relief. However, opioids also affect the brain’s chemistry, leading to feelings of euphoria, which contributes to their potential for misuse and addiction.

Image alt text: Prescription Opioid Pills – Illustrating the dangers of opioid addiction stemming from both legal and illegal sources in Sanford, FL.

While opioid pain relievers can be safe and effective when used for short-term pain management as prescribed by a doctor, their inherent properties make them susceptible to misuse. Even when taken as prescribed, regular use can lead to dependence. The euphoric effects can lead individuals to take larger doses than prescribed or to use them for non-medical purposes, dramatically increasing the risk of addiction, overdose, and even death.

The statistics surrounding the opioid crisis are alarming and underscore the urgency of initiatives like SCORE. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), opioid-related deaths have reached staggering numbers. While the original article cited data up to 2018, it’s important to note that the crisis has continued. It is recommended to consult the CDC’s website for the most up-to-date statistics on opioid overdoses and deaths to get the most accurate picture of the ongoing epidemic.

One factor contributing to the rising death toll is the practice of “boosting,” where heroin is mixed with potent and inexpensive synthetic opioids like fentanyl and carfentanil. This adulteration, often done to increase potency and profits for drug dealers, makes street heroin incredibly dangerous, as users may be unaware of the presence of these much stronger substances. The ease of obtaining carfentanil online, particularly from sources outside the country, further exacerbates this issue. Sadly, many individuals who initially become dependent on prescription opioids turn to heroin as their prescriptions run out or become unaffordable, making them vulnerable to the dangers of boosted heroin.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Opioid Abuse

Identifying the signs of opioid abuse is crucial for early intervention and seeking help. Changes in behavior and physical condition can be indicators that someone may be struggling with opioid use disorder.

Behavioral and Attitudinal Changes:

• Noticeable shifts in behavior and attitude, such as increased secrecy, irritability, or withdrawal from social activities.
• Deteriorating relationships with family members and friends, often marked by conflict and strained communication.
• Engaging in deceptive behaviors like lying and stealing, often to obtain drugs or money to support drug use.
• Spending excessive amounts of time alone and isolating themselves from loved ones.

Physical Signs:

• Obvious signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech, impaired coordination, and confusion.
• Periods of incoherence or unconsciousness.
• “Track marks” or injection sites on the body, indicating intravenous drug use.

Emergency Warning Signs – Call 911 Immediately:

In cases of suspected opioid overdose, recognizing the critical warning signs and acting swiftly can be life-saving. Call 911 immediately if you observe any of the following:

• Unresponsiveness or inability to wake up.
• Blue lips, hands, and face, indicating a lack of oxygen.
• Labored or shallow breathing, or complete cessation of breathing.
• Gurgling sounds or snoring, which can indicate airway obstruction.
• A dazed and confused state.

The Good Samaritan Law: Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior

Florida’s Good Samaritan Law, specifically Florida State Statute 893.21, plays a vital role in encouraging individuals to seek medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose. This law provides legal protection to both the person seeking help and the person overdosing in certain circumstances.

Key Protections of the Good Samaritan Law:

1. Immunity for Help-Seekers: A person acting in good faith who seeks medical help for an overdose victim cannot be charged, prosecuted, or penalized for simple drug possession if the evidence of possession is obtained solely as a result of seeking that medical assistance.
2. Immunity for Overdose Victims: Similarly, an individual experiencing a drug-related overdose and requiring medical assistance is also protected from charges, prosecution, or penalties for simple drug possession if the evidence is obtained due to the overdose and the need for medical care.
3. Limitations of Protection: It’s important to understand that this protection against prosecution for possession offenses does not extend to other criminal prosecutions. It is specifically designed to remove the fear of legal repercussions for simple possession when the priority is seeking life-saving medical help during an overdose.

This law is a crucial tool in the fight against the opioid crisis, as it removes a significant barrier to calling for help during an overdose situation. By encouraging people to act without fear of arrest for simple possession, the Good Samaritan Law has the potential to save lives.

Self-Assessment: Recognizing Potential Opioid Problems

Honest self-reflection is the first step in addressing a potential opioid problem. Asking yourself the following questions can help you assess your relationship with opioids:

• Dosage Increase: Do you find yourself taking more opioids than originally prescribed by your doctor?
• Altered Consumption: Do you take opioids in ways not prescribed, such as chewing, snorting, or crushing pills?
• Emotional Dependence: Do you crave opioids to cope with personal problems, stress, or negative emotions?
• Tolerance: Do you need to take increasingly larger doses of opioids to achieve the desired effect or “high”?
• Financial Strain: Is your opioid use causing financial difficulties for you or your family?
• Excessive Drowsiness: Do you frequently find yourself nodding off or feeling excessively drowsy during the day?

If you answer “yes” to one or more of these questions, it may indicate a problematic pattern of opioid use, and seeking professional help is strongly recommended.

Prevention Strategies: Taking Proactive Steps

Prevention is a cornerstone of combating the opioid crisis. Several proactive steps can be taken to reduce the risk of opioid misuse and addiction:

Safe Medication Practices:

• Prescription Adherence: Always use prescription opioids exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never exceed the prescribed dose or take them more frequently than instructed.
• Avoid Sharing: Never share your prescription medications with others, and do not take medications prescribed for someone else. Prescription medications are tailored to an individual’s specific medical needs, and sharing them can be dangerous and potentially fatal.

Secure Medication Storage:

• Lock Your Meds: Store prescription medications, especially opioids, in a secure location, preferably locked and out of reach of children, teenagers, and visitors. Many instances of opioid misuse start with medications found in the home.

Proper Disposal of Unused Medications:

• Pitch Your Pills: Safely dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused prescription medications at designated Prescription Drug Drop Off Boxes located throughout Seminole County. This prevents medications from being misused or falling into the wrong hands. Link to Prescription Drug Drop Off Points

Education and Awareness:

• Parent-Child Communication: Parents should have open and honest conversations with their children about the dangers of drug use, including prescription opioids. Education and communication within families are vital in preventing substance abuse.
• Familiarize Yourself with Drug Information: Increase your awareness of commonly misused drugs, including opioids. Resources like the Get Smart About Drugs website provide valuable information and visual aids for drug identification. Link to Become Familiar with Frequently Used Drugs

Resources and Treatment Options in Sanford and Seminole County

Access to resources and effective treatment is essential for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder. Seminole County and the surrounding areas offer a range of support and treatment options:

Local Treatment Providers:

• Recovery Connections of Central Florida: MyRecoveryConnections.org, 407-RECOVER (407-732-6837), 7912 Forest City Road, Suite 101, Orlando, FL 32810. Offers a 24-hour hotline staffed by individuals with lived experience of addiction recovery, peer recovery specialists, and a Recovery Community Center providing in-person support.
• Advent Health Hope and Healing Center: 212 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773, 407-792-2162. Provides residential and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for substance use disorder, offering whole-person care and recovery support services.
• Aspire Health Partners: 919 E. Second Street, Sanford, FL 32771, 407-323-2036. Offers specialists to identify clinical needs, immediate support, referrals, and medically supervised detoxification and stabilization for adults with substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders.
• The Rase Project (Recovery Advocacy Service Empowerment): 201 Hilda Street Suite 22, Kissimmee, FL 34741, 407-518-1094. Peer Recovery Specialists guide individuals to treatment and connect those with Opioid Use Disorder to physicians for medication-assisted treatment (Suboxone). Serving Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Brevard Counties.
• Lotus Behavioral Health: 1030 Spring Villas Point, Winter Springs, FL 32708, LotusBH.com, 833-995-6887. Offers outpatient and intensive outpatient care for teens (13-17) and adults with substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Clear Futures: MyClearFuture.com, (407) 636-3030. Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) center using Buprenorphine products (Sublocade, Suboxone, Subutex) for Opioid Use Disorder, along with recovery coordination.
• Florida True Health: 4930 E. Lake Mary Blvd., Sanford, FL 32771, 407-322-8645. Offers medical services and outpatient counseling for substance use and mental health.
• The Grove Residential/IMPOWER: 407-215-0095, Option 3. Provides care for children, adolescents, and families focused on substance use, mental, and behavioral health, including a residential program for ages 13-17.
• Steps Apopka: 1901 S. Apopka Blvd., Apopka, FL 32703, 407-884-2126. Offers comprehensive substance use treatment and education, prioritizing indigent, pregnant, postpartum individuals, or those with children in Seminole, Brevard, Orange, and Osceola counties.
• Advanced Recovery: 6000 Lake Ellenor Drive, Orlando, FL 32809, 407-613-5558. Recovery center offering a full continuum of care for drug and alcohol addiction, including medical detox, residential, and intensive outpatient treatment.
• Teen Challenge (Central Florida Men’s Rehab Center – Sanford): 407-330-9600, https://www.teenchallenge.cc. Christian faith-based residential program for young people and adults with substance use issues.

Additional Resources:

• Florida Department of Health Community Integrated Mobile Health: [email protected]
• Park Place Crisis Stabilization Unit (Osceola County): 206 Park Place Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34741, 407-846-0023, Option 1. Community Behavioral Health provider for adults and children’s mental health and substance abuse services.
• Find Treatment Near You (SAMHSA National Helpline): English: 1-800-662-HELP (4357), Spanish: 1-800-662-9862.
• Dose of Reality Florida: https://doseofrealityfl.com/ – State-wide resource for opioid information and prevention.

The Marchman Act: Involuntary Assessment and Stabilization

The Marchman Act in Florida provides a legal pathway for involuntary admission to a hospital or detox facility for substance abuse assessment and stabilization. This act can be initiated through a court order or by law enforcement when an individual is deemed a danger to themselves or others due to substance abuse.

Support Groups: Finding Community in Recovery

Support groups offer a vital sense of community and shared experience for individuals in recovery and their families. Several support networks are available in the Central Florida area:

• Narcotics Anonymous (NA): http://orlandona.org/meetings/ – Offers numerous weekly meetings in Central Florida.
• SMART Recovery (Greater Orlando Area): http://www.smartrecovery.org – Science-based mutual help group.
• Addicted.org: https://www.addicted.org/ – Online resource and support community.
• GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing): http://grasphelp.org/. Central Florida chapter meets monthly in Maitland, FL, for those who have lost loved ones to substance abuse. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.
• Advocates for our Angels (SCSO Hosted): Facebook page. Support group for families who have lost loved ones to the opioid crisis, hosted by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). Meetings are 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 1 PM at Lifepoint Church, 1470 Myrtle Lake Hills Rd, Longwood, FL 32750. Contact Brandy Fulghum at 407-849-8650 or Della Wiggins at 352-989-6760.
• Central Florida Intergroup (Meetings): https://cflintergroup.org
• In The Rooms (Virtual Meetings): https://www.intherooms.com/home – Online recovery community with virtual meetings.

Get Help Now: Immediate Assistance is Available

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, please know that help is available, and recovery is possible.

OPIOID CRISIS – GET HELP NOW. TEXT “OPIOID” TO 898-211.

Standard text messaging rates may apply.

Sheriff John E. Polk and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, through the SCORE initiative, are dedicated to providing resources and support to combat the opioid crisis in Sanford, FL and Seminole County. By understanding the risks, recognizing the signs, and utilizing available resources, we can work together to save lives and support recovery within our community.