Catch author Sarah Pearsall at one of these locations this month!
The Opioid Crisis: A Beacon of Hope
Transcript courtesy of Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office
First published at The Well of PBC – July/August 2025
The opioid epidemic continues to cast a long shadow, but recent efforts in Palm Beach County and across Florida are showing promising signs of progress. A recent task force meeting highlighted significant decreases in opioid overdose deaths and emergency medical service responses, alongside ambitious plans for expanding treatment access and improving recovery support systems.
A Glimmer of Hope: Declining Overdose Rates
Palm Beach County is experiencing a notable downturn in opioid overdose fatalities. Between January 1st and July 9th, 2025, the county reported 57 total opioid overdose deaths, a stark contrast to 156 during the same period in 2024. This represents a 63% decline, a testament to intensified intervention strategies. Even when accounting for pending toxicology reports, the county anticipates a substantial 49% decrease from the previous year.
Similarly, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue data indicates a 25% decline in transports for suspected overdoses in the first six months of 2025 compared to last year. This positive trend is even more pronounced when looking back to 2017, the peak of the crisis, when there were 1,798 calls for suspected overdoses. Today, the number is 77% lower, signifying a remarkable shift in the local landscape of the opioid crisis.
Expanding the Reach of Recovery: FAR and Oxford House
Organizations like the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FAR) and Oxford House are crucial pillars in the recovery infrastructure. FAR, which certifies recovery residences across the state, now boasts 272 providers and 9,741 beds statewide. Palm Beach County leads the way with 106 providers and 3,675 beds, making it the largest county in terms of certified recovery units. FAR is actively working to expand its presence on Florida’s west coast, aiming to reach 10,000 beds statewide in the coming months. The certification process has also been streamlined, with providers now able to achieve certification in 30 to 60 days if all legislative requirements are met.
Oxford House, a network of self-run, self-supported recovery homes, continues to grow, with 265 houses across Florida and 2,375 beds. These homes are vital, particularly for their low-barrier access to recovery, and notably, nearly 75% of Oxford Houses in Florida have at least one member utilizing medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This highlights a growing acceptance and integration of evidence-based practices within recovery housing. Oxford House is also expanding its outreach to rural communities and establishing subcommittees to better serve veterans, bilingual individuals, and parents with children.
The Core Network: A Coordinated System of Care
A major statewide initiative, the Community Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network, is expanding rapidly, aiming for statewide implementation in all 67 counties by fiscal year 2025-2026. The CORE Network is a coordinated system designed to connect individuals in crisis to comprehensive treatment and recovery support. It emphasizes a “no wrong door” approach, ensuring access through multiple pathways:
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Paramedics can initiate MAT on-site and provide warm handoffs to long-term treatment.
- Law Enforcement: Officers, often first responders in crisis situations, are being trained in crisis intervention to offer compassionate care and connect individuals to CORE resources.
- Emergency Rooms and Hospitals: These facilities are encouraged to initiate MAT immediately and facilitate seamless transitions to ongoing care.
- Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) and Peers: Individuals with lived experience play a crucial role in building trust and guiding others through their recovery journey.
The CORE Network prioritizes low-barrier access to treatment, recognizing that not everyone requires inpatient care. The focus is on rapid stabilization and connecting individuals to long-term resources, including mental health services, housing assistance, and food support.
Incentivizing Progress and Addressing Challenges
To encourage continued progress, Florida is introducing performance-based incentives for CORE Networks. Counties demonstrating the highest population-adjusted percentage decrease in opioid-caused deaths can earn an additional $300,000. Furthermore, the top 10 performing CORE Networks will receive an extra $200,000. This innovative approach aims to reward effective strategies and foster competition among counties to improve outcomes.
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain. In 2023, Palm Beach County saw a 2.5% increase in opioid-caused deaths, indicating that the fight is far from over. There’s also a recognized need for continued education among medical professionals, particularly emergency physicians and hospitalists, to ensure consistent and appropriate MAT prescription. The integration of MAT into correctional institutions, as exemplified by the robust program in the Palm Beach County jail, is another crucial area for expansion.
Modernizing Zoning Laws for Recovery Residences
A significant legislative undertaking is underway to rewrite Florida Statute Chapter 419, which governs community residences. The current statute, considered archaic and in violation of federal Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws, has created hurdles for establishing much-needed recovery housing. The proposed rewrite aims to:
- Repeal discriminatory provisions: Eliminating arbitrary spacing requirements and definitions that unfairly target people with disabilities, including those with substance use disorder.
- Establish a uniform statewide standard: Providing clarity and consistency for zoning regulations across municipalities and counties, preventing costly lawsuits for local governments.
- Categorize residences by function, not size: Differentiating between “family community residences” (long-term, resembling a family unit) and “transitional community residences” (shorter-term, higher turnover), allowing for more appropriate zoning.
- Make FAR certification mandatory for permitted use: This critical measure would effectively weed out “scam artists” operating unregulated sober homes and ensure quality care.
- Address recovery communities: Providing clear guidelines for larger recovery facilities, ensuring appropriate spacing and licensing.
This legislative effort is a complex but vital step towards creating a more supportive and legally compliant environment for recovery residences, ultimately aiding in the broader fight against the opioid epidemic. The aim is to balance community integration with the operational needs of recovery programs, fostering an environment where individuals can truly heal and thrive.
The ongoing dedication of task force members, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and recovery advocates in Palm Beach County and throughout Florida offers a beacon of hope. While the opioid crisis remains a formidable challenge, the coordinated efforts and innovative strategies discussed at the recent meeting suggest a future where recovery is more accessible and sustainable for all.
Fright Nights unleashes 23rd year of fear
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The scariest season of the year is coming up in one month and Fright Nights, the largest haunted house event in West Palm Beach, is looking to terrify those who dare to attend. The 23rd annual event will take place on October 9,11,12,16,17,18, 23, 24, 25, 31 and November 1 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Fairgrounds Road. Event hours are Thursdays from 6-11 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight. In addition to four haunted houses, which open at 7 p.m., there will also be carnival rides, live music, food and entertainment.
A Behind the Scenes tour is planned for October 8 to give the public an opportunity to get a glimpse of the four haunts before the event opens. The tours start at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. Limited tickets are available with a maximum of 40 people per hour. The tour lasts 45 minutes and costs $39 per person. Guests also can meet and have their picture taken with the featured characters and ask questions. Each tour purchase will receive a free promotional ticket for opening night on October 9, which includes one admission and one haunted house.
Fright Nights’ four haunted houses will be decorated with the following themes: “The Autumn Terror Returns,” “Nuclear beats: frenzy in the fallout” and “Watery Grave.” For a full description, visit https://www.southfloridafair.com/p/fright-nights/haunts. The theme of the fourth house, currently being called “Project X,” will remain “top secret” until three days before the event opens, when details will be revealed.
When guests aren’t screaming their way through the haunted houses, they are subjected to two scare zones. One is themed “Scary Christmas,” where the holidays are no longer merry because the village of Hollow Pines has fallen under a sinister curse.
The second scare zone is themed “Coven of the Scorned.” In the shadow of the Salem witch trials, four elemental witches were betrayed by the very villagers they once protected. Accused of sorcery and sentenced to death, the public will experience their vowing vengeance on the descendants of those who condemned them.
Online tickets are $48.50, valid any one day of Fright Nights. Sales start Friday, Oct. 9 through Nov. 1. Gate tickets are $46 and are valid any one day of Fright Nights. Each ticket includes admission and 40 Fright Credits. These credits can be used on haunted houses (10 credits per house) or Midway rides (4-5 credits per ride). RIP tickets, which grant VIP access, cost $15 on Thursdays and $20 on Fridays and Saturdays. Kids under 5 are free, although parental discretion is advised for young children. Parking is $10.
Group rates are available for $35 per person. Contact the event box office at boxoffice@southfloridafair.com or 561-790-5225 for more information.
Introduced last year, the Dead Ringers Club is designed as an experience like none other, designed to plunge its guests into the depths of fear. This exclusive pass grants admission to all four haunts, entry to the RIP Lounge and a fast pass to bypass the lines. As a token of their bravery, they’ll receive a haunting souvenir cup, a custom lanyard and survival token. Each ticket is $150 per person, limited to only 100 souls per night.
Visit https://myfrightnights.com/frighttickets for details.
Enjoy the Spookiness
By Savannah Hess
Hi everyone. It’s been a while, huh? I hope you all are doing well, and enjoying the fall season. A lot has happened in the last few months when I wrote an article, but to keep it short: I’ve been swamped with college and college life. But it feels good to be back.
Anyways, enough about me. Onto what I’m here to talk about today.
Haunted places in Florida. I’m a huge history buff as many people know, and it’s so fascinating hearing about all of these old stories which happened so long ago. So let’s get into it. Here are just a few haunted places in and around South Florida.
The first one I’ll be mentioning is near and dear to my heart, since I’m a big theatre fanatic. It’s the Lake Worth Playhouse. This playhouse has been for over a hundred years-since 1924! Originally named the Oakley theatre, the structure was built by Lucien and Clarence Oakley who came to Florida in the early twenties. The theatre first opened on November 3rd, 1924 at a shocking cost of $150,000 (before you ask, yes I did the math..that would be almost 3 million today. Wowzers.) The theatre ran for about four years. September of 1928, a hurricane came through and destroyed much of the theatre. Lucien and Clarence were able to repair it, and then by early 1929, the theatre reopened.
However, consider the timing here. This was about 9 months before the Wall Street stock market crash, which would lead to The Great Depression. This depression would be one of the worst economic crashes in history. Many people lost all of their money because of the banks, and the Oakley brothers lost ownership of the theatre. It’s said both of them committed suicide in the theatre. Many investigators have reported seeing apparitions as well as heard footsteps in the theatre. Could they still be in the building to this day?
Next up is another famous museum. Yes, we’re talking about Whitehall, aka the Henry Morrison Flagler museum. Flagler built the mansion for his wife, Mary Lily Kenan. They would move in 1902, and would travel to Palm Beach via a railcar (sometimes I wish we still had those, they’re so neat). The mansion was praised and revered by many, and still puts people in awe today. Flagler died in 1913 at 83, and Mary Lily would die 4 years later. Many say they still reside in the mansion, as unexplainable things often occur, such as pottery breaking and a cleaning lady claiming that someone slapped her on the butt, according to www.ghostsofpalmbeach.com.
One final place, and then I promise we’re done. The Gulfstream Hotel on Lake Worth Beach. This hotel was built in the mid 20s, but now remains closed and under renovation. The hotel has been closed and reopened multiple times, and has survived the Great Depression, World War II, and the 90s (just kidding, the 90s weren’t that bad). Not a lot of information about the hotel has hit the public sphere when it comes to ghosts in the hotel. But there have been rumors of a ghost of a six year old girl haunting the building. I wonder what happened? I guess we’ll never know.
Anyway, that’s all I have for you today. I hope you have a great September. And enjoy the spookiness! Boo.
International Literacy Day
By Litzi Aguilar
Since 1967, International Literacy Day has been a day for those all around the globe to recognize and celebrate the importance of literacy in individuals and societies. This day is also meant to address the obstacles that prevent people from developing literacy skills and contributing to their societies. Despite its popularity in academic settings, it is not just a day when only teachers and students can celebrate. It is meant to be inclusive to everyone from any country, race, background, and culture to uplift and empower.
International Literacy Day (September 8) can be traced back to the World Conference of Ministers of Education held in Tehran, Iran, where leaders worldwide came together to combat illiteracy and promote its education for all as a fundamental human right. It was September 8th that was declared as the official literacy day by UNESCO, or the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Every year, UNESCO has a theme to celebrate, and this year, the theme is “Promoting literacy in the digital era.” This year’s global conference will be held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
In this current age, technology has completely changed our societies. It has changed how we learn and work, both positively and negatively. It has allowed people to access reading and writing to understand and create communities where they can engage with others safely and appropriately. However, the rise of technology also presents issues like misinformation and cybercrime. This presents the opportunity to reflect on what literacy means and how it can be managed in this age of technology to be safer, especially for those who are vulnerable.
There are several ways to celebrate this day, at home and locally in your area!
– You can visit your local library! Sign up for a library card and pick out books to read. You can explore the different types of books and expand your horizons beyond the fiction section! Libraries also often hold special events and reading programs for kids.
– Participate in a challenge! These challenges range from book swapping to dressing up as your favorite character. You can also have the whole family participate in a literacy scavenger hunt to instill positive outlooks on learning how to read and write in the younger and older generations.
– You can also volunteer in programs that tutor students in reading and writing lessons! Check out your local and online programs that offer these learning opportunities and get involved. These programs provide learning styles personalized for every student to improve their reading and writing comprehension and skills. These programs are open to all ages, regardless of one’s literacy levels.
Show Up, Speak Out, Stay In: A Real Guide to Child Advocacy
By Jessica Brody
There’s no switch that flips kids from “at risk” to “protected.” No single policy, no one-time donation, no one-size-fits-all fix. Advocacy is not about sweeping gestures—it’s about showing up, over and over, in small, human ways that stack into something larger. If you care about vulnerable children—those in unstable homes, underserved schools, or invisible to policy—there are powerful things you can do. Right where you are. The question is not can you help, but where you’ll begin.
Start With What You Can Offer
Advocacy doesn’t always begin in a courtroom or on Capitol Hill. Often, it begins with you—deciding to become a steady presence in a child’s life. Many community leaders emphasize the impact of stepping into mentoring roles to build trust and open doors that systems can’t. Vulnerable kids don’t just need programs; they need people. By volunteering time as a tutor, mentor, or trusted adult, you become part of the web that catches kids before they fall through. What seems small to you may be life-changing to a child who’s never had someone show up just because they care.
Learn What Shapes Behavior
To advocate well, you need to understand what’s beneath the surface. Formal study in child development, trauma psychology, or behavioral systems can sharpen how you act. Flexible options like online programs are built for caregivers, career-pivoters, and folks already doing the work. These degrees don’t just inform—they reframe. You begin to see how choices echo through systems. If this sounds like your next step, learn more here.
Prevention Starts With Connection
Supporting vulnerable children means supporting the people raising them—especially before things break. Across the country, voluntary in-home programs are being used to help families access resources without stigma. One example comes from efforts to engage families before crises through services that offer support without judgment or red tape. That could mean joining networks that help parents access housing, childcare, or respite services before they’re in survival mode. Prevention meets people upstream—when the problems are real, but not yet irreversible. You can change a child’s trajectory by showing up early.
Strengthen What Already Exists
Advocacy isn’t just about stepping in—it’s about stepping back and looking at the systems we’ve normalized. One emerging path is collective food access initiatives like those co‑creating food support locally, where clinics, pantries, and parents work together to restore dignity. How does your town treat hunger? Who decides what counts as “safe” space? Whether it’s a back-to-school clothing drive or a community fridge, your presence matters. You become part of the structure that says: no child in this ZIP code gets left behind.
Show Up Where It’s Hard
Some of the most effective advocacy happens inside the very systems we criticize. Organizations have long emphasized partnering to uphold justice by training community members to walk with children through complex legal situations. These aren’t just lawyers or social workers. They’re volunteers who ensure a child’s needs and experiences aren’t erased by court schedules or bureaucracy. Whether it’s a custody dispute or a foster care hearing, your steady presence can shift the outcome. Real advocacy often looks like patience in uncomfortable places.
Address the Whole Child
It’s not just about paperwork—it’s about presence. Programs that address hunger, stability, and routine are vital in keeping kids grounded. Some communities have started standardizing after‑school nourishment to ensure kids don’t go from cafeteria to chaos. That includes snacks, emotional safety, and a place to land between school and home. These programs thrive when everyday people organize, donate, or simply show up. You don’t need to reinvent anything—just join what already works and help it grow.
Multiply Your Voice
When policies change, it’s often because people wouldn’t shut up. Many wins for vulnerable children—whether in foster policy, education funding, or healthcare—have come from campaigns channeling collective voices for policy. Signing petitions matters. So does calling your rep. Submitting public comments. Attending local hearings. Real policy doesn’t move unless regular people push it—consistently and loudly. If you’ve ever felt like “they” should do something, you might be “they.”
Advocacy isn’t a campaign. It’s a commitment. Not every day will feel powerful, and not every effort will land. But every child you make room for in your day, every caregiver you support, every meal you help serve or system you choose to question—that all adds up. The truth is, vulnerable children aren’t waiting for saviors. They’re waiting for neighbors. And those neighbors? They look a lot like you.
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Strong Starts, Safe Seasons: Injury Prevention Tips from Local Orthopaedic Experts Dr. Hinson & Dr. Shaw with Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute
By Gianna Picard
With school sports ramping up across Palm Beach County, student-athletes are returning to the field, court, and basketball–often with more enthusiasm than preparation. This surge of activity, while exciting, also brings a sharp rise in preventable injuries at the start of each season. Orthopedic surgeons, Dr. John Hinson and Dr. Jonathan Shaw, with the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, are emphasizing the importance of smart conditioning, stretching, and practical injury prevention tips to keep young athletes in top form.
Being aware of the most common injuries in student-athletes–and how to prevent overuse–is key to a strong and injury-free season. Dr. Hinson and Dr. Shaw emphasize that many sports injuries can be prevented with proper preparation, which includes suitable conditioning and recognizing potential early warning signs. By focusing on targeted muscle groups and sport-specific movements, athletes can reduce their risk of injury and improve overall performance.
Shoulder Overuse Injuries: Common injuries in Baseball, Tennis, and Volleyball
Repetitive overhead movements—common in baseball, tennis, volleyball, and many other sports and fitness activities—can place significant stress on the shoulder joint, particularly if the young athlete neglects proper warm-up routines. Failing to stretch before or after activity increases the risk of overuse injuries, including rotator cuff strains and labral injures. Ignoring early signs of discomfort and continuing to train or play through may worsen the condition and prolong recovery. It is crucial to seek medical evaluation at the first sign of persistent pain, rather than risking a more serious injury.
Dr. Hinson’s Prevention Tip: Make sure to stretch before and after activity and incorporate safe shoulder-strengthening exercises with proper warm-up routines. It’s important to limit overuse by rotating positions or reducing high-intensity reps during practice.
Knee Ligament Injuries (ACL Tears): Common injury in Football, Soccer, and Basketball
Quick stops, sharp pivots, and hard landings—like those in sports such as football, soccer, and basketball—can put a lot of pressure on the knees. Without proper strength, balance, and technique, these movements can increase the risk of injuries such as ACL tears, meniscus injuries, or inflammation in the tendons.
Dr. Shaw’s Prevention Tip: Work on improving coordination and body control through balance exercises, while also strengthening the muscles that support the knee, particularly the hamstrings and quadriceps. Taking the time to build knee strength and learn safe movement patterns is key to preventing long-term damage.
Recognizing early warning signs, like pain, is just as important as prevention. Aches and pains can worsen if neglected. This is why Dr. Shaw urges parents, caregivers, and coaches to watch for the following red flags to take action early:
- Persistent pain and/or swelling after practice or games
- Limited range of motion or stiffness in joints
- Limping or favoring one side during movement
- Instability of the knee, like not being able to pivot or shift
- A sudden decrease in performance or reluctance to participate
If any of these signs appear, or if pain occurs and doesn’t go away, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly. As the school sports season gets underway, a proactive approach to injury prevention and early intervention can make all the difference. With expert guidance from orthopedic specialists like Dr. Hinson and Dr. Shaw, student-athletes can stay healthy, perform at their best, and keep the focus where it belongs: on the game. To learn more about Dr. Hinson and Dr. Shaw and Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, visit www.pboi.com.
It All Starts with Trains
By Heidi Hess
It starts with Thomas. You know the Thomas I’m talking about, Thomas the Train. Perhaps I am older, perhaps your kids don’t know who Thomas the Train is but trust me when I say, if you show them, they will understand… and so will you.
Trains. If you lived in Palm Beach County you know the value of having a car. This isn’t NYC here kids. Things are spread out. I’m here to tell you that trains are real and they are fun. My kids make fun of me… they say “Mom, you think everything is fun.” That is a true and accurate statement. I think everything is fun. I look at everything with a sense of optimism. Over the years, it has exhausted the kids. This is who I am. I don’t know what to say.
But if I am addressing public transportation, IT IS FUN! Miami – train, Fort Lauderdale – train, Orlando – Train! My question is where do you want to go? And… do you have kids? Kids are obsessed with trains. Amtrak and Brightline fulfill those things. You can get to all those destinations (and lots of places in between) but also your kids will marvel at the train coming in, watching the train pull up and stop, getting on and finding your seat, talking to the attendant and then (my personal favorite) watching the world pass by as you travel to your destination. Does it take a bit longer? Sure. But, darling, do you have to drive, nope.
In fact, when you get off then train, you can call an Uber or Lyft and you – Never. Have. To. Drive. A. Car. Never. Did you hear me? From your front door, kids in hand, to the hotel or your destination, you never have to drive a car. I’m not sure what your experience is like driving kids but, you never have to drive a car. Why not make this a vacation for you too? Amtrak is inexpensive ($25 per person/per way) and Brightline, if you reserve the VIP section, provides you with snacks and beverages for your trip – including adult beverages. I’m not encouraging people to drink but if its free and you aren’t driving…
Have I mentioned the prices of fare? While Brightline is a bit more expensive, Amtrak runs 30sih dollars for adult and for kids ages two – twelve years old, it’s 50% off the adult fare. So book your get away now. Theres no time like the present and your kids will love you for it.
Grandma’s Place Honorary Chair
Danielle McDonald announced as Honorary Chair!
Amy Considine and Manda Galin, Co-Chairs of the 10th Annual Grandma’s Angels
Holiday Luncheon, are thrilled to announce Danielle McDonald as the Honorary Chair.
Danielle has graciously been a Major Sponsor of the luncheon and has been a loyal
supporter of Grandma’s Place since 2019. There is no one more deserving of this honor
and recognition!
The luncheon committee is already hard at work planning this event. Committee
Members include: Susy Burrowes, Angelica Cimminella, Margaret Donnelley, Sunny
Hawkins, Barbara Hollender, Jourdan Isasi, Brittney Jones, Eleanor Jones, Mary Lewis
Moews, Rossanna Mora, Elizabeth Nunez, Madison O’Connell, Amy Quattlebaum, Dina
Rubio, Jodie Schmitz, Kim Proenza Smith and Lindsay Welch.
The luncheon on Tuesday, November 18 th at the Sailfish Club starts at 11:30 am with a
wine reception and a fabulous silent auction. During lunch there will be a small live
auction while local CBS12 News Anchor Liz Quirantes has once again graciously
agreed to serve as the celebrity emcee.
The auction proceeds benefit Grandma’s Place, which provides housing,
compassionate loving care, educational opportunities and support to the most
vulnerable children and families in our community – including emergency shelter for
foster children and respite care to the caregivers of children with special needs.
Tickets are $225 per person or tables for $2,250. To receive an invitation, donate an
auction item, purchase a ticket, place an ad in the event program, or sponsor the event,
please call Roxanne Jacobs at 561-376-0488, e-mail roxanne@grandmasplacepb.org
or you can pay on-line at www.grandmasplacepb.org/grandmas-angels-holiday-
luncheon
