Five years after its establishment, the Pasco County Opioid Task Force reports significant progress in combating opioid addiction through various community programs. Funded by opioid settlement dollars, these initiatives focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery services that have saved lives across the county. Missy Coyle from Alliance for Healthy Communities operates Narcan vending machines and connects individuals with essential resources including mental health support, clothing closets, and recovery housing. The collaborative efforts between organizations like Alliance for Healthy Communities and The Hope Shot address both prevention and recovery needs under one roof. Despite these efforts, Pasco County recorded over 2,500 non-fatal overdoses in 2024 with more than 200 fatalities according to Florida Department of Health data. Paula Baracaldo, Chair of the Opioid Task Force, emphasizes effective utilization of settlement funds to improve the system of care and prevent opioid use. A recent partnership with University of South Florida identified challenges such as high service costs and unequal access to care across the county. The task force has temporarily paused its funding application period to allow community review of recommendations from the USF gap analysis study.
Pasco County Opioid Task Force Makes Progress Against Addiction Five Years Later
