‘Finally,’ Scott declares opioid epidemic a public health emergency

Responding to months of public outcry, Gov. Rick Scott declared a public health emergency Wednesday in the fight against the opioid epidemic, a sea change in what had been a hands-off approach by state officials to a crisis that has killed thousands.

“Today I feel relief — relief that the voices of so many were finally heard, for the pain of loss so many families have faced and to those struggling to overcome addition,’’ said Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Melissa McKinlay.   Read more…