'Targeting our youngest:' DeSantis pushes to punish fentanyl crisis in Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Governor Ron DeSantis has been touring the state and announced several new initiatives and proposals he plans on introducing next month for the legislative session.

One of those is cracking down on the opioid pandemic in Florida – like increasing jail time.

The governor said he is looking to add $20 million to support local law enforcement to intercept sales and trafficking of fentanyl.

It’s his latest budget proposal to keep Florida as one of the ‘tough on crime’ states.

“The lights can go out with the fentanyl overdoses," said Governor DeSantis last Thursday at a press conference in Miami.

In preparation for the legislative session in march – the governor is looking to crack down on the opioid pandemic in Florida.

Specifically, ‘rainbow fentanyl,’ often meant to look like candy.

"This is really targeting our youngest and our most vulnerable kids," said DeSantis of rainbow fentanyl.

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In October of 2022, Florida law enforcement seized enough fentanyl is kill the entire population of Florida.

The lethal dose of fentanyl is two milligrams, equivalent to the weight of a mosquito, according to the DEA.

In Okeechobee Wednesday night, four people were arrested for trying to sell a $1,000 worth of fentanyl to undercover officers.

Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen has been in law enforcement since the 1980’s, seeing several waves of drugs.

"We are finding not only are heroin laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana almost every illegal, illicit narcotic is now being laced with fentanyl," said Sheriff Stephen.

Right now, Florida law classifies fentanyl and similar substances as a third-degree felony.

The governor is proposing anyone who sells fentanyl to children that looks like candy to be charged with a first-degree felony and a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

"These dopers are luring our kids younger and younger and younger of age," said Sheriff Stephen.

"We want to make sure we cement our reputation of being a law-and-order state and take action as necessary to help further protect the people of the state of Florida," said Governor DeSantis.

Sheriff Stephen agreed.

“We’re spending taxpayer money today, chasing the same dope sellers and the penalties aren’t there to stop them from doing that," said Stephen.