Alachua County’s Opioid Crisis: The Alarming Truth
- Alachua County ranks 2nd in Florida for opioid addiction and suicide rates.
- Kids are exposed to opioids as early as 5th grade.
- Counterfeit pills are flooding our communities — and 1 in 7 contains enough fentanyl to be deadly.
- These aren’t just numbers — these are our children, our neighbors, our future.
Why Start the Conversation Early?
Talking to your kids about opioids doesn’t have to wait until they’re teens. In fact, it shouldn’t.
A conversation with your 2nd grader today is easier — and more effective — than waiting until they’re 15.
Prevention starts at home: Open, honest, and ongoing conversations with your child can save lives. You don’t need all the answers — you just need to start the dialogue.
Our Mission
The Alachua County Opioid Task Force of Alachua County is a community-driven initiative to:
- Raise awareness about the opioid crisis among youth aged 13–26.
- Empower parents and caregivers to start age-appropriate conversations about drugs by 5th grade — or sooner.
- Prevent addiction before it starts through education, outreach, and support.
- Connect families to life-saving resources for mental health, addiction recovery, and suicide prevention.
Together, we can turn the tide.
Community Resources
Here are trusted places to turn when you or someone you love needs help.
Local Pharmacies
Safe disposal locations for unused prescription medications. Contact your local pharmacy for disposal programs.
Hazardous Waste Centers
Safe disposal of unwanted prescription drugs and hazardous materials.
Alachua County Crisis Center Suicide Lifeline
24/7 crisis and suicide intervention through phone counseling, mobile response teams, walk-in and ongoing counseling, and also supports the community with trauma response, education, and outreach.
Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center
Free, confidential, and 24/7 support—including crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, emergency assistance, criminal justice accompaniment, restraining order help, support groups, and educational outreach—for survivors of interpersonal, sexual, and personal injury crimes across Alachua, Bradford, and Union counties.
Alachua County Fire Rescue & Mobile Health Team
Delivers lifesaving fire and emergency medical services while bringing holistic community health services directly to residents in need. This includes post-emergency interventions, substance abuse management, chronic disease management, emotional support, and community safety partnerships like the DEA's semiannual National Drug Take Back Days.
Alachua County Metamorphosis
Long-term residential treatment program in Gainesville that helps adults with substance use and mental health disorders achieve recovery through structured, evidence-based care and ongoing aftercare support.
HPW Health Promotion & Wellness Coalition
Meridian Behavioral Care Crisis Center
24/7 emergency evaluations and intervention for adults and children experiencing psychological or substance use crises, with treatment options ranging from outpatient care to full admission at their Gainesville stabilization unit.
Children's Trust of Alachua County
Funds and supports a coordinated, equitable system of community services—ranging from universal to place-based supports—to help all children, youth, and families in the county thrive and reach their full potential.
radKIDS (Resisting Aggression Defensively)
Community Outreach
If you’re unsure where to start, reach out. Someone is always ready to listen.
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Take Action Today
Together, we can create a safer, stronger Alachua County — where our youth are educated, supported, and protected.