TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Oct. 25, 2026 — Fewer Floridians are dying from fentanyl. That's according to new numbers from the state's medical examiners, which the governor's office highlighted this week.[1]

On Oct. 20, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in Orlando that fentanyl-caused deaths in Florida have declined by nearly 60% since 2023. The figures come from the Florida Medical Examiners Commission's 2025 Annual Drug Report.[1]

The numbers

According to the governor's office:[1]

  • In 2023, fentanyl caused nearly 5,000 deaths in Florida.
  • By 2025, that number had fallen to about 2,000, which is nearly 3,000 fewer deaths a year.
  • From 2024 to 2025 alone, fentanyl-caused deaths fell 37%, and deaths caused by fentanyl analogs (chemical cousins of fentanyl) fell by more than 50%.

The report also shows declines from 2024 to 2025 beyond fentanyl:[1]

  • Total drug-related deaths fell 12%.
  • Opioid-caused deaths fell 33%.
  • Cocaine-caused deaths fell 16%.
  • Methamphetamine-caused deaths fell 23%.

What the state credits

The governor's office links the decline to drug-trafficking enforcement, including the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) grant program that DeSantis created in 2023. The program funds large drug investigations by local law enforcement.[1]

"Fentanyl-caused deaths in Florida have declined by nearly 60% since we launched the S.A.F.E. grant program in 2023," DeSantis said.[1]

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Larry Keefe said, "Our agents and partners are working every day to disrupt the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our communities."[1]

The release lists these results so far from investigations supported by S.A.F.E.:[1]

  • Nearly 3,000 arrests
  • More than 600 pounds of fentanyl and over 65,000 fentanyl pills seized
  • Nearly 800 pounds of cocaine and more than 520 pounds of methamphetamine seized
  • More than $6.6 million in cash, nearly 1,000 firearms and 90 vehicles seized

The release does not include an independent analysis of how much of the decline is due to the grant program and how much is due to other factors. Readers can review the medical examiners' report for themselves.

Recent operations named by the state

The release points to three recent cases:[1]

  • Operation Ice Breaker (October): FDLE, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and statewide prosecutors announced charges against 25 people. Investigators seized more than 100 pounds of cocaine. Nineteen of the 25 had been arrested at the time of the announcement.
  • Operation End of Worlds (September): The Polk County Sheriff's Office, FDLE and Auburndale police reported 39 arrests and 4.5 pounds of fentanyl seized.
  • Operation Hall of Fame (July): The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and FDLE reported nine arrests and 60 kilograms of cocaine seized.

People charged in these cases are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Where to get help

The national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers "24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more" by call, text or chat at 988, according to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.[2]

Sources

  1. Executive Office of the Governor, "Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Nearly 60% Decline in Fentanyl-Caused Deaths in Florida Since 2023," Oct. 20, 2026. https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-announces-nearly-60-decline-fentanyl-caused-deaths-florida
  2. U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, "988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline." https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/988

← More State stories · All Launchpad stories · Spotted an error? Request a correction.