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Gov. Scott signs law limiting painkiller prescriptions

Posted at 1:29 PM, Mar 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-19 18:16:55-04

Governor Rick Scott signed HB-21 into law on Monday in Manatee County. The measure sets aside $65-million for treatment centers, limits a opioid prescription to three days.

Gov. Rick Scott signs bill to combat opioids crisis

SPECIAL SECTION: Conquering Addiction

“We are going to do everything we can in this state to stop individuals from becoming addicted,” said Scott.

Scott signed the bill into law at the Sheriff’s Office in Bradenton. The area has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. The Sheriff’s Office reports nearly a thousand overdoses happened last year.

Dimitrie Denis said addicts have taken over his neighborhood in the Samoset community.  He believes the new law could help

“Anything to help people not get addicted in the first place is a good start,” said Denis.

HB-21 will become law this summer.