Opioids: Manatee County's Epidemic
By: Austen Shearer Manatee County has been fighting a seemingly never ending battle to get the Opioid Epidemic under control. Manatee County used to be a beautiful tourist destination and until the opioid problem became overwhelmingly visible. In 2015 there were 780 overdoses and 84 deaths in 2016 it sky rocketed to 1287 overdoses and 123 deaths leading all of the recent years. 2017 had 986 overdoses and 97 deaths, 2018 is looking better though with only 362 overdoses and 33 deaths. That is a whopping 73% decrease from 2016 to 2018. Opioid overdoses are dropping drastically thanks to new prescription drug boxes, Naloxone and Operation Hot Batch. Given that, one of the most effective reasons for the improvement is the Manatee County Sheriff's Department has installed “Citizen Prescription Drop Boxes.” These boxes collect outdated or unwanted prescriptions and helps them find their ways off the streets. Citizens are encouraged to bring in non-liquid medication for disposal utilizing the agency’s disposal resources. The drop boxes are kept locked at all locations utilizing a two-point securing system to ensure the integrity of the medication once it has been submitted for disposal. In 2014 they were able to collect 1,108.79lbs worth or prescriptions and the most was collected in 2017 with 1369.83lbs. These drop boxes have been strategically placed and seem to be effective at getting unwanted drugs off the streets. The chart below I received from the Captain of the Narcotics Department at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. A marked decrease in the amount of medication dropped at the D3 site appears to be a result of the office location being moved from Ellenton into Bradenton. Second, Naloxone has been major contributor to the decrease in overdoses and deaths. Naloxone is an overdose narcotic reverser this has been shown to help with overdoses in emergency situations. Since 2017 the Manatee County Sheriff's office has used Naloxone 56 times with 50 successful reversals. This is the same drug that Paramedics carry on ambulances and use to treat and reverse overdoses. This fast-acting drug works through the body and can fully take effect at reversal in 2-5 min. Also, deputies are equipped with “Your Life Matters” cards, which contain resource information to those seeking help/relief from their addiction. These cards are given to every person who has an overdose or has been treated in the past for overdoses. This is an Overdose Chart I received while I was at the Manatee County Sheriff's Office conducting an interview with the Captain of the Narcotics Department Todd M. Shear. Lastly, “Operation Hot Batch” is the Manatee County Sheriff’s Departments newest sting operation which works hand in hand with Federal Agents and the U.S. Attorney's Office. This is to ensure that all the cases are done in accordance to the Federal Guidelines. This operations objective is to arrest the dealers and not the users. So far 50+ drug dealers have been arrested and federally prosecuted. Many of these dealers were bringing in a 100+ kilos into the region over the past few years. Some cases are better worked in the federal system as opposed to the state system. This operation is still on going and has been deemed vital for combatting and arresting the individuals who are doing the most damage to the county below is a Picture of some of the people arrested in the operation. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Department office has been striding to better the county and find the most effective ways to bring the people who deserve to be prosecuted to justice. They have made great strides in combatting the once horrible epidemic and have made an unfathomable difference in saved lives. I believe that if they keep up the determination and the persistence they have been showing the county could come back together and once again become a beautiful and great county for all to enjoy. Works Cited The Bradenton Herold. ”Bradenton is opioid overdose capital of Florida. And still no one knows why.” Bradenton FL: Jessica De Leon, December 19, 2016. Hcc Database "Rep. Buchanan Anti-Drug Plan Endorsed by Manatee County." Bradenton FL: Targeted News Service, 31 May 2018. Bradenton Herold. Narcotics will be tougher to get in these Manatee emergency rooms. Bradenton FL: by Hannah Morse, February 14, 2018 Manatee County Captain of Narcotics Division Bradenton FL: Todd Michael Shear, February 10, 2019. Drug Free Manatee Drug Free Manatee is a substance abuse prevention coalition promoting safety, health and wellness in Manatee County. Operartion Hot Batch Drug busts have brought down overdoses and deaths in Manatee County, cops say Bradenton FL: Jessica De Leon. December 19, 2017. |
Below are the pictures I received from Manatee County Sheriff's Department
1. Operation Hot Batch and the arrested criminals 2. Prescription drug drop boxes and the weights they've collected 3. A chart showing the overdoses and deaths over the years. |