Ron DeSantis Signs Bill Enabling Fentanyl Strip Tests, Pledges 'Deadly Force' Against Drug Smugglers

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Monday night that removes fentanyl test strips from Florida’s list of prohibited drug paraphernalia, fulfilling a long-requested priority of public health officials and joining some 30 other states that have decriminalized the tests. 

“I think it’s an important step in curtailing the number of opioid overdoses in Florida,” said Tim Santamour, director of outreach and networking for the Florida Harm Reduction Collective. "It may lead to folks making healthier decisions like cutting back on their use or even stopping use because they have an awareness of the risks they’re taking."

Why It Matters

Decriminalizing fentanyl test strips curbs drug overdoses, which have steadily increased in Florida where, like other states, the drug supply has become polluted with other illicit substances that intensify the potency. Florida experienced over 5,900 reported fatal overdoses in 2022. Emergency Medical Services reported that in 2022, teams responded to over 105,400 overdose calls, according to the Florida Department of Health.

DeSantis Hardline Against Fentanyl Smuggling Into U.S.

The leading Republican presidential candidate recently proposed using deadly force against suspected drug traffickers attempting to cross into the U.S. 

“Of course, you use deadly force,” DeSantis said after a campaign event in a small Texas border town, reported the New York Times. “If you drop a couple of these cartel operatives trying to do that, you’re not going to have to worry about that anymore.” He said the drug smugglers would end up “stone-cold dead.”

Most fentanyl in the U.S. is smuggled from Mexico where cartels source fentanyl with precursors from China, and then traffic the finished drug across the U.S. border into the United States.

As part of the new legislation, Florida stakeholders will create a Statewide Council that will work with other organizations utilizing data from local, state and national agencies.

“The future is never guaranteed, especially when dealing with these issues,” said Democratic state Sen. Jason Pizzo, who supported the measure to make fentanyl test strips more available. “This is going to save lives.” 

Photo: Gov. DeSantis Twitter