Search
Close this search box.

Crestview Mayor talks about the rise of opioid deaths as a major cause for concern

“If I told you that one cause of U.S. deaths increased by more than 21,000 people from 2019 to 2020, that equates to over 270 Americans per day, versus the previous year at 198, to then have more than 100,000 die last year to the same cause, would that get your attention?” That’s how Crestview […]

📸 Crestview Mayor JB Whitten - Source: City of Crestview

“If I told you that one cause of U.S. deaths increased by more than 21,000 people from 2019 to 2020, that equates to over 270 Americans per day, versus the previous year at 198, to then have more than 100,000 die last year to the same cause, would that get your attention?”

That’s how Crestview Mayor JB Whitten started his speech to the Fort Walton Beach City council last Tuesday. Mayor Whitten made his address during the public comments portion of the meeting.

Major Whitten spoke about the increase in fatal opioid overdoses. He stated that one of the primary reasons for the increase in deaths is linked to “lacing”. The practice of “lacing” is when two or more substances are mixed together. For example, buying marijuana laced with Fentanyl where the buyer may or may not be aware of it.

The Mayor has started a push for an anti-opioid campaign by inviting the citizens of Crestview, and surrounding areas, to attend a summit on September 30th beginning at 10:00 AM at the Crestview Community Center, located at 1446 Commerce Dr, Crestview, FL 32539.

The founder and CEO of Project Opioid will be conducting the summit to help educate the public and develop actionable plans to reduce the number of deaths due to overdoses. 

  • The mayor has also partnered with the Northwest League of Cities to raise awareness of this summit across the Northwest part of the Panhandle.

“This summit is not about any elected officials,” added Mayor Whitten. “It’s not about the city. It’s about us saving our citizens. I beg you as city leaders to encourage your citizens to attend this free summit.”

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“Wife and I were thinking of making an offer for the property. What a beautiful home site it would make”
Respond
“No, buying the ship was a great idea and will be a wonderful place to snorkeling, and scuba diving.”
Respond
“SPC beach bars have been successful for Decades. We have a large loyal and captive group! The Sand Flea family of restauranteurs have ways succeeded and will drawer other beach...”
Respond
“I agree with the idea of making it an event place. Whether for weddings or parties or businesses that want to hold lectures or meetings.Also a place for groups like...”
Respond
“I second that thought, please quit trying to make Fort Walton another Destin. And anything to do with that that 10 million dollar ship they bought to sink is ridiculous!”
Respond
“I like the idea of it being an event rental space, it would be beautiful for weddings and receptions, but another "charter boat hub", please quit trying to make Fort...”
Respond
“Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster?”
Respond
“They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don't know what they are going to do with the property? If your child came in your home and said...”
Respond
“If Walton County was not so greedy and decided to “TAKE” what they wanted instead of “buying” it like other areas (Destin/Okaloosa County)have, this might have never been a problem....”
Respond
“I remember both Kathy & Lee from their work with the church youth program. Despite being a Catholic "yankee" visiting each summer I have never found a more welcoming place...”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.