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Tampa, Fla. — Today, state leaders hosted the First Lady Casey DeSantis’ The Facts. Your Future. Youth Drug Prevention Summit for Parents. Held at the University of South Florida, this event provided parents, guardians, and community partners with educational resources to understand the impacts and risks of drug use. At the summit, law enforcement and health care partners discussed the impacts of drug use and provided effective communication tools for parents to have those tough conversations with teens.

“We have a responsibility to protect children from the dangers they encounter in our world every day,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “Thankfully, First Lady Casey DeSantis’ is passionate about supporting our kids, and The Facts. Your Future. is helping children achieve a safe and successful future across the state."

Parents that attended the summit had the opportunity to hear from state law enforcement leadership, medical professionals, and substance use prevention experts on current drug trends that our state is facing. Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis continue to combat the illicit drug trafficking and protect our communities from deadly substances that are infiltrating our borders.

Attendees received firsthand information from the enforcement agencies that intercept dangerous drugs entering our state and were provided tangible resources, including a parent toolkit, to guide parents on how to discuss the dangers of drugs with their children. The Parent Toolkit contains information on the dangers of drugs, how to engage in conversations about drugs and alcohol, how to recognize signs of drug use, and resources for assistance.

"I've been to the border and seen the drugs and crime that comes into our nation firsthand," said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. "There is no question that some of these drugs are coming into Florida. Fentanyl killed approximately 2,700 people in Florida in the first six months of last year alone. First Lady Casey DeSantis is a champion for parents giving them the tools and information they need to make solid decisions for families."  

“Keeping young people away from drugs and alcohol is critical, and parents are the best protectors our children have,” said Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Dr. Eric Hall. “By sharing this important information about substance abuse and its impacts as seen by health and law enforcement professionals, parents will be prepared to know the signs and have the right conversations with their children to keep them off a dangerous path.”

Through the First Lady's The Facts. Your Future. campaign, Florida is equipping parents and youth with knowledge and resources to help prevent the devastating and dangerous consequences that often result from substance use and risky behavior. This campaign supports students statewide to ensure they receive substance use prevention instruction to protect and maintain their health, so they can thrive and flourish.

For more information and additional resources, please visit TheFactsYourFuture.org.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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