LIVE Tampa Bay brings state leaders together to fight opioid crisis

State and local leaders will join James Beard chef Jesse Schenker Thursday for its inaugural Regional Leaders Luncheon to End Overdoses.

Opioid deaths cost the region an average of $25.8 billion in economic output and resulted in a total estimated fatality cost of $14.2 billion for the Tampa Bay region, and 75% of those who fatally overdose are prime-aged workforce members.

Local leaders set to attend include:

• President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership Bemetra Simmons

• St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch

• Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard

• State Rep. Jackie Toledo

More information about the event can be found here.

– Kelsey Sunderland, Extensive Enterprises Media