City of Ocala
Implementation Plans
FY 2024-2025 Plan
The City of Ocala, Florida, has developed an Opioid Implementation Plan to address the opioid crisis through a comprehensive strategy that emphasizes treatment, prevention, and education. This plan is designed to meet the unique needs of the Ocala community by providing a range of interventions, including expanding access to treatment and recovery services, enhancing care quality, and implementing preventative measures to reduce opioid misuse. The plan represents a commitment to use available resources, collaborate across sectors, and innovate to build a future where the community is resilient and hopeful, moving beyond the effects of opioid addiction. The plan is part of a broader initiative under the Florida Opioid Allocation and Statewide Response Agreement, involving collaboration with Marion County and the establishment of the Regional Opioid Settlement Committee in March 2023. This committee includes a diverse group of stakeholders, such as law enforcement, fire rescue, city and county personnel, and elected representatives, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing the crisis.
Key strategies of the plan include prevention efforts through education in schools and community workshops, increasing the availability of medication-assisted treatment programs, supporting recovery through peer support groups and resources for housing and employment, and enhancing enforcement with specialized training for law enforcement. Additionally, the plan aims to raise community awareness about opioid misuse and available resources through a city-wide campaign and social media, while also fostering partnerships and collaboration with local organizations to amplify outreach efforts. The plan also outlines a structure for monitoring and evaluation, requiring quarterly reports from funded programs and initiatives to track progress and outcomes. This approach ensures accountability and enables continuous improvement of the plan’s effectiveness.
In conclusion, the City of Ocala’s Opioid Implementation Plan is a strategic and multifaceted response to the opioid crisis, focusing on prevention, treatment, recovery, enforcement, and community awareness. By allocating opioid settlement funds strategically and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the plan aims to create a sustainable and comprehensive approach to reduce opioid misuse and support affected individuals and families, working towards a healthier and safer community.