Fentanyl Crisis PB County – West Palm Beach Parks

Fentanyl in Our Parks? Why Every West Palm Beach Family Needs to Pay Attention

West Palm Beach parks are a cornerstone of our community — places where families gather, kids play, and neighbors connect. But as the fentanyl crisis continues to devastate Florida, there’s an urgent need to recognize that even our most cherished public spaces are not immune to its impact.

This article brings together the latest statewide and Palm Beach County opioid data, federal alerts, and local safety efforts to help keep our parks safe — and empower you to take action.

Florida’s Fentanyl Epidemic: A Quiet Killer in Plain Sight

The 2022 Florida Medical Examiners Commission reported 8,012 opioid-related deaths, including 6,157 directly caused by opioids. While 2023 saw a slight drop in numbers, fentanyl and its analogs still account for the vast majority of overdose deaths in Florida — far exceeding heroin, oxycodone, or other opiates.

Palm Beach County is no exception.

According to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office, victims of accidental overdoses in 2023 were:

Mostly male (3:1 ratio)
Average age: 43 years
Disproportionately White individuals, who were nearly 6× more likely to die from overdose than Black residents, and 8× more likely than Hispanic/Latino residents.

The real danger? These drugs often appear in parks, bathrooms, beaches, or other public areas, sometimes mixed with innocuous-looking pills or powders.

Four Waves of Crisis: Why Fentanyl Is Different

Researchers have identified four waves in the U.S. overdose crisis –

Prescription opioids (2000s)
Heroin (2010)
Illicit fentanyl (2013+)
Fentanyl + stimulants like cocaine or meth (2014 onward)

In Florida:

Fentanyl deaths increased by 651% between 2013 and 2016.
By 2022, 55% of opioid deaths also involved stimulants.
In 2023, emerging drugs like xylazine and cathinones (e.g., dipentylone) appeared in dozens of fatal cases — always alongside fentanyl.

This toxic mix of drugs — often found in parks or public trash bins — poses extreme risks to children, pets, and community members who may unknowingly encounter them.

What to Look For in Parks: Safety Tips for Families

If you or your family visit local parks like Dreher Park, Currie Park, or Howard Park, stay alert for signs of drug use or contamination:

Loose pills (especially small blue ones marked “M30” — often fake and laced with fentanyl)
Needles or syringes
Burnt tinfoil, straws, or powder residue
Small plastic baggies or capsules

If you see these:
Do NOT touch.
Alert park staff or call non-emergency police: (561) 822-1900

Fentanyl pills look like candy to a child.

Education, Prevention & the 988 Hotline

Florida is responding with public awareness efforts, including:

“One Pill Can Kill” campaign – 36% of Florida students say they’ve seen this life-saving message.
988 Hotline – A 24/7 mental health support line offering confidential help for emotional or substance-related crises.

In Palm Beach County, teens and adults alike must be empowered with the truth: just one pill — even once — can kill.

????️ What the City and Community Are Doing

West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County have stepped up efforts with:

Narcan (naloxone) availability for first responders and public facilities.
Park surveillance and faster removal of hazardous materials.
Education campaigns aimed at both teens and adults.

Local schools and organizations are also leveraging data from the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) to build targeted programs.

???? What You Can Do Today

You don’t need a badge to make a difference.

✔️ Teach your kids never to touch unknown items
✔️ Join or organize a community park cleanup
✔️ Carry Narcan if trained (available without prescription in FL)
✔️ Share this article and talk about fentanyl with friends & neighbors
✔️ Encourage students to call 988 when struggling — and know it’s confidential

???? Let’s Keep WPB Parks Beautiful — and Safe

West Palm Beach parks are meant for joy, not fear. But safety doesn’t happen by accident — it takes awareness, unity, and action. Together, we can ensure that every swing set, picnic table, and trail stays free of hidden threats.

Let’s protect what we love — for our kids, our neighbors, and our future.

✅ Need to report a concern in a local park?
Call: (561) 822-1900 or visit wpb.org/parks

???? Need help or know someone in crisis?
Call or text 988 for 24/7 emotional and substance-related support.

Here are the associated sources:

https://www.myflfamilies.com/sites/default/files/2024-11/2024%20Annual%20Report%20SCOA%20Final%20Draft%2011.2024%20-%2011-26%20-%20Final.pdf
https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/2025%20National%20Drug%20Threat%20Assessment_Web%205-12-2025.pdf
https://discover.pbcgov.org/medicalexaminer/Forms%20Statistics/2023%20PBCMEO%20Annual%20Report.pdf
https://www.myflfamilies.com/sites/default/files/fysas24/PalmBeach.pdf