The state grant supports enhanced toxicology testing to help identify emerging drug threats in the community
New funding aims to boost Hillsborough County's defense against drug overdoses. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved funding for the Medical Examiner's Office to strengthen overdose surveillance. The funding aims to improve the County's ability to identify emerging drug threats in the community.
The Medical Examiner's Office will receive more than $107,000 as part of the Overdose Data to Action in States (OD2A-S) Postmortem Enhanced Toxicology Testing Grant to support enhanced testing and overdose data collection. It's the second consecutive year the department has received the funding. The grant is provided by the Florida Department of Health, which Hillsborough officials say brings significant relief to the County.
The grant will help cover the costs of specialized equipment and toxicology testing, which helps investigators identify dangerous substances causing or contributing to sudden deaths, including overdoses. The enhanced testing can help detect emerging synthetic drugs, as well as changing drug trends that can pose a serious risk to public health.
Cross-functional collaboration
The Medical Examiner's Office works closely with Hillsborough County's Health Care Services department, including its Behavioral Health Task Force, as well as Hillsborough's Homeless & Community Services, by sharing data related to overdoses. The information gathered through enhanced testing at the Medical Examiner's Office supports community outreach efforts, public safety messaging, and coordinated responses aimed at preventing both fatal and nonfatal overdoses. The funding will allow the Medical Examiner's Office to continue key testing that helps the County better respond to emerging threats and provide timely warnings to vulnerable populations.
In 2024, the Hillsborough Medical Examiner's Office performed more than 300 autopsies, reporting nearly 400 drug overdoses across the county. The funding is part of a statewide effort to strengthen overdose prevention strategies through data-driven public health initiatives. The continued investment reflects the importance of collaboration between forensic, health care, and community service departments within Hillsborough County.
Learn More
Hillsborough County is dedicated to combatting the use of illegal substances with a focus on treatment, prevention, and recovery services. In addition to government funding, key partnerships with organizations such as the Agency for Community Treatment Services (ACTS) and Tampa Bay Thrives provide support for substance use disorder. Learn all the ways Hillsborough County is combating the opioid crisis by visiting HCFL.gov/Health.