Florida Fentanyl Deaths Drop 42% As Moody Marks Awareness Day With New Legislative Push

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody marked National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day by highlighting recent drops in Florida overdose fatalities and outlining several federal legislative measures targeting illicit drug trafficking and law enforcement support.

According to state and federal data cited by the senator’s office, Florida saw a 42% decrease in fentanyl-related deaths between the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2025.

That drop outpaced the estimated nationwide decline of 22% over the same period, a result attributed to joint coordination between local, state, and federal agencies.

“On National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, we remember the hundreds of thousands of lives stolen by fentanyl and the families forever changed by this devastating epidemic and renew our commitment to end this crisis,” Moody said in a statement. “While Florida has seen our fentanyl-related death rate fall faster than the national average, our work is far from finished. We’ll continue fighting to save lives and build a Stronger, Safer Florida.”

At the federal level, Moody has backed several anti-drug bills, including the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to assist in prosecuting traffickers.

She has also cosponsored Tyler’s Law, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on routine emergency room fentanyl testing during overdoses, and the PRESS Act, which criminalizes the intentional importation of pill press machines and unlisted precursor chemicals used to make illicit pills.

Before joining the Senate, Moody served as Florida’s Attorney General, where she led the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse, secured multibillion-dollar settlements from opioid manufacturers and distributors, and launched law enforcement recognition initiatives such as Back the Blue, Thin Line Tribute, and Sunshine Salute.

Her recent legislative efforts in the Senate have also focused on measures to support first responders and border security. These include the HALO Act to protect federal officers from harassment, the Graham Hoffman Act to expand prosecution tools for assaults against first responders, the HELPER Act to assist emergency personnel with homeownership, and the RIPPLE Act to expand state law enforcement participation in the federal 287(g) immigration program.

Six related public safety bills were advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee during Police Week earlier this year.