DeSantis Announces Nearly 60% Decline in Florida Fentanyl Deaths Since 2023
Florida has experienced a nearly 60% decrease in fentanyl-caused deaths since 2023, according to Governor Ron DeSantis's announcement based on new data.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, October 20, 2026 —
Florida has experienced a nearly 60% decrease in deaths caused by fentanyl since 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced, citing new data. The announcement describes a substantial decline but does not provide the number of deaths, the data’s source or the period covered by the comparison.
The information provided also does not specify when DeSantis made the announcement or which years or months were compared. Without those details, the precise timeframe behind the reported decrease cannot be established from the announcement summary.
No information was provided about how the deaths were counted, whether the figures are preliminary or final, or which agency or organization compiled the data. The announcement summary does not include a breakdown by location or demographic group.
The cause of the reported decline was not identified. The available information does not describe any policies, programs or other developments linked to the change, so no explanation for the decrease can be attributed based on the announcement alone.
The reported figure is therefore limited to the governor’s statement that fentanyl-caused deaths in Florida have fallen by nearly 60% since 2023, based on new data. Further details about the figures and the comparison period were not provided in the summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Sara Kitchin on www.wfla.com, see more information here.
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