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The opioid epidemic in Tampa, Florida, and Hillsborough and Pinella counties, has had a profound impact on the community, reflecting broader national trends while also presenting unique local challenges.
Tampa, part of the larger Tampa Bay area, has experienced a surge in opioid-related overdoses and deaths in recent years. Tampa's unique position as a major transportation hub has facilitated the influx of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, exacerbating the crisis and increasing the risk of overdose.
The availability of prescription opioids has also contributed to the crisis, with overprescribing practices leading to widespread misuse.
Local health officials, law enforcement, and community organizations have been working to combat the epidemic through increased access to treatment services, public awareness campaigns, and initiatives aimed at reducing the stigma associated with addiction. Despite these efforts, the opioid crisis continues to strain local resources and affect countless families in the region.
Key Statistics on Opioid Use in Tampa
- Pinellas County saw 524 overdose deaths in 2020 (31% increase from 2019)
- Hillsborough County saw 538 overdose deaths in 2020 (74% increase from 2019)
- In 2020, fentanyl and related drugs were involved in approximately 71% of overdose deaths in both Pinellas and Pasco counties.
- In 2023, there were 3,902 reported non-fatal opioid-involved emergency department visits in Hillsborough County.
Opioid Overdose Statistics in Tampa
- The Tampa Bay area overdose rate is 23 per 100,000 people, which is 9% higher than the Florida average.
- In 2022, Pinellas County had the second-highest overdose rate in Florida.
- In 2022, the area saw over 1,500 opioid overdose deaths, more than double the fatalities from five years prior.
- On average, nearly 3 people die each day from opioid overdoses in the Tampa Bay area.
Demographic Data & Insights
The opioid crisis in Tampa Bay predominantly affects white communities, contrary to some national trends. Here are some insights for Tampa and the surrounding areas:
- In Pinellas County, 232 out of 238 opioid overdose deaths in 2018 were white individuals.
- Statewide, white Floridians accounted for 73% of overdose deaths in 2020.
- Younger individuals are increasingly affected by opioid-related deaths.
- Pinellas and Pasco counties show no significant gender differences in opioid-related mortality rates, contrary to national statistics.
- 41% of youth aged 10-19 who died from drug overdoses between 2019 and 2021 had documented mental health conditions.
Common Opioids & Prescribing Trends
The landscape of opioid use and abuse in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties has undergone significant changes over the past decade, mirroring national trends but with some distinct local characteristics.
Fentanyl has emerged as the dominant force in the current opioid landscape of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. This synthetic opioid, estimated to be 50 times more potent than heroin, has dramatically increased the lethality of opioid use in the region.
The prevalence of fentanyl in the local drug supply has created a perilous situation for users, many of whom may be unaware of its presence in other substances, such as:
- Recreational street drugs
- Counterfeit pharmaceuticals (e.g. This contamination of the drug supply has expanded the at-risk population, endangering not only opioid users but also those who use other substances recreationally.)
- The opioid crisis in Hillsborough and Pinellas is evolving to include polysubstance use, involving the mixing of stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines with fentanyl.
Florida implemented measures to combat the opioid epidemic, including the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and the Pill Mill Law. Despite these efforts, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have shown higher-than-average opioid prescription rates, with the Morphine Milligram Equivalents per person (a standard measure to compare different opioids) being significantly higher in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties:
- Florida: 490.7
- Hillsborough County: 1,110.7
- Pinellas County: 915.7
- Pasco County: 940.7
State Funds & Resource Allocation
Both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have received significant funding to address the opioid crisis:
- Pinellas County: $13.4 million from the regional fund and $1 million from the city/county fund.
- Hillsborough County: $15 million from the regional fund and $1.3 million from the city/county fund.
These funds are being allocated to prevention programs, treatment services, and harm reduction strategies.
The Pinellas County Opioid Task Force, established in June 2017, is a collaborative effort addressing the increase in opioid-related drug abuse and deaths in the county. This initiative brings together stakeholders to develop a strategic plan guiding community members and resources in confronting the opioid epidemic.
Key focus areas include:
- Prevention
- Outreach and Education
- Treatment
- Training
The task force convenes at the county’s forensic science center to discuss and strategize on the ongoing crisis.
Their efforts are led by the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County and Operation PAR, a nonprofit specializing in addiction and mental health services.
In April 2021, the task force observed an increase in non-fatal overdose encounters at emergency departments in Pinellas County, highlighting the ongoing nature of the crisis.
Resource & Support Groups in Tampa
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Tampa
- SMART Recovery in Tampa
- New Season Treatment
- Specializes in MAT with methadone, buprenorphine, and Suboxone. They offer outpatient care and medically supervised withdrawal.
- Address: 7207 & 7225 North Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
- Cove Behavioral Health
- Provides MAT, including methadone and Suboxone, as well as case management and therapy. They cater to various patient needs, including pregnant people.
- Address: 4422 E. Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33605
- Agency for Community Treatment Services
- Offers inpatient treatment, detox, dual diagnosis treatment, and trauma-informed therapy, for both adults and children.
- Address: 4612 N. 56th St, Tampa, FL 33610
- Sophros Recovery
- Provides MAT with naltrexone and Suboxone, complemented by individual and group therapy, case management, and alumni support.
- Address: 12801 W. Hillsborough Ave, Suite 0-109, Tampa, FL 33635
- BoardPrep Recovery
- Offers detox, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, and specialized care for co-occurring mental health disorders.
- Address: 2522 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not have insurance, the cost can vary based on the prescribed dose. Patients unable to afford buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) (regardless of insurance coverage) can apply for cost-assistance. The company that makes Suboxone offers this type of program to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses. To learn more, go to: inSupport program.
You can also get discounted buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) using pharmacy coupons or cash prizes. If you go to the GoodRx website (goodrx.com), you can enter in your zip code and find coupons and discounts at your pharmacy of choice. (On average, if you use GoodRx coupons/discounts, you can slash the typical price of generic Suboxone film from $395 to $118).
Before you are prescribed buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), you will need to undergo an initial medical evaluation so that the doctor can ensure that it is an appropriate medication for you, though this does not require an in-person visit and can be done via telehealth (with video or telephone).
Once you have completed this assessment, the doctor will send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy. So, yes! You can find a licensed buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) provider online and they can get you started on it via telehealth services without any in-person appointments.
- Buprenorphine/naloxone (Subxone) which is available in outpatient clinics (at your primary care doctor’s office or a psychiatrist’s office)
- Naloxone (Vivitrol) which is available in outpatient clinics (at your primary care doctor’s office or a psychiatrist’s office)
- Methadone, which is available only through methadone clinics
If you are interested in Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) offered entirely through telehealth services, visit bicyclehealth.com. To get help on finding other treatment options and levels of care (such as inpatient programs, intensive outpatient programs/IOPs, residential programs, and methadone clinics), call the SAMHSA helpline at:
1-800-662-HELP (4357).
