New state data shows fentanyl-related deaths in Florida dropped by 46% during the first half of 2025, prompting U.S. Senator Ashley Moody to introduce new federal legislation targeting illicit pill manufacturing.
The figures, released in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) 2025 Interim Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons Report, cover January through June 2025. The report also highlights a 42% decrease in overall opioid-caused deaths and a 19% drop in total drug-related fatalities across the state.
Moody, the state’s former Attorney General who recently transitioned to the U.S. Senate, attributed the decline to state-level enforcement and public health initiatives launched during her previous tenure.
“Florida is proving that strong enforcement, education, and support for our law enforcement save lives,” Moody said. “As Attorney General, I made combating fentanyl a top priority and we took aggressive action to stop deadly drugs from pouring into our communities. This 46% drop in fentanyl-related deaths shows real progress and results from those initiatives.”
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The decline outpaced the national average during the same period. While serving as Attorney General, Moody chaired Florida’s Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse, secured multibillion-dollar settlements from opioid manufacturers and distributors, and launched the “Dose of Reality Florida” and “Fast Facts on Fentanyl” educational campaigns. Her office also created the “Helping Heroes” program, which distributes free naloxone—an opioid overdose reversal medication—to first responders.
Now in Washington, Moody is backing three separate federal bills aimed at the crisis. Her latest initiative is the PRESS Act, which seeks to criminalize the intentional importation of pill press machines and unlisted precursor chemicals when intended for illicit drug manufacturing.
Additionally, Moody is cosponsoring the HALT Fentanyl Act, which would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances. She is also supporting Tyler’s Law, a bill requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on whether hospital emergency rooms should implement routine fentanyl testing for overdose patients. The Senate has already passed Tyler’s Law.
During her time as Attorney General, Moody frequently sparred with federal officials over border security, previously demanding that the Biden administration classify illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. President Trump designated the cartels as terrorist organizations upon taking office.
Moody emphasized that federal intervention remains her primary focus moving forward. “While we achieved significant progress in Florida, there is still much work to be done and as your newest United States Senator, I will continue that work to keep our state and country safe from the dangers of fentanyl and the criminals who profit from this crisis,” Moody said.
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