U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody highlighted a sharp drop in Florida’s fentanyl-related deaths while speaking to law enforcement leaders at the Florida Sheriffs Association Summer Conference in Doral on Monday.
Data released during the event shows fentanyl-related fatalities in Florida fell 42% from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2025. The decline outpaced the estimated national decrease of 22% over the same timeframe. Moody credited state and local law enforcement coordination for driving down the numbers.
“During my time as Attorney General, Florida led the nation in fentanyl interdiction efforts, saw its opioid death rate fall faster than the national average and put free naloxone and other resources in the hands of first responders,” Moody said in a statement. “As U.S. Senator, I will continue to provide Florida’s great sheriffs with the resources they need to fight the drug overdose epidemic, save lives and help communities heal.”
Moody detailed several federal legislative initiatives aimed at curbing illicit synthetic opioids and assisting law enforcement operations.
Her current Senate agenda includes co-sponsoring the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances. She is also co-sponsoring Tyler’s Law, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate routine fentanyl screening in hospital emergency rooms for overdose patients, and the PRESS Act, which targets the intentional importation of unlisted precursor chemicals and pill press machines.
Additional legislation supported or introduced by Moody includes the HALO Act, designed to protect federal officers from harassment; the Graham Hoffman Act, which increases federal prosecution measures for assaults on first responders; and the HELPER Act, aimed at expanding homeownership access for first responders.
Moody previously chaired the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse during her tenure as Florida Attorney General, where she helped negotiate state settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers and distributors.
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