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Thousands die from opioid overdoses in Florida each year. Research suggests states that haven’t expanded Medicaid coverage are passing up an opportunity to lessen the toll.

Officials say the pandemic and dealers who mix fentanyl with other drugs have contributed to the increase in overdose deaths in Florida.

In November 2019, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued a public warning about such pills. The DEA reported that more than a quarter of pills seized across the nation in early 2019 contained traces of fentanyl. “These aren't just people with opioid dependence who are dying,” Clarke said. “These are teenagers who think they're doing a Xanax and a beer, and they're not. And the thing with fentanyl is you don't get a second chance.” Fentanyl’s Rise Fentanyl wasn’t always as prevalent as it is now. It started to increase substantially in Florida after 2010. Part of the reas...