Quick answer
Fentanyl remains the leading cause of drug deaths in Florida, including 149 deaths it caused in the Fort Myers medical examiner district in 2024. Lee County recorded 171 drug-poisoning deaths, and 21 SAMHSA-listed treatment facilities sit within 30 miles of Fort Myers. Medication for opioid use disorder has the strongest evidence.
Someone reading this page may be counting pills - or counting the hours until the next dose is available. That pressure is the clearest signal that it is time to talk to a professional, not a sign of weakness. Fort Myers is inside a treatment network where medication for opioid use disorder, detox beds, and outpatient counseling all exist within a short drive of each other, and the first step is a phone call or a search. Here is what the numbers say and how to start.
What the local overdose data shows
The Florida Medical Examiners Commission 2024 report gives the clearest district-level picture for District 21 (Fort Myers - Lee, Glades, and Hendry counties):
- 173 deaths with fentanyl involved in 2024, including 149 in which fentanyl caused the death
- 29 deaths involving fentanyl analogs, all 29 caused by the drug
- 78 deaths with methamphetamine involved, 62 caused by the drug
- 112 deaths with cocaine involved, 61 caused by the drug
- Prescription drugs were involved in 295 deaths, down 16.4% from 353 in 2023
FLHealthCHARTS recorded 171 drug-poisoning deaths among Lee County residents in 2024, a rate of 23.2 per 100,000. Statewide, the report counted 3,667 deaths involving fentanyl (3,224 caused by it) and 696 involving fentanyl analogs, with total opioid-caused deaths down about 32% from 2023. The trend is improving, but fentanyl is still doing most of the damage.
What treatment looks like here
Within 30 miles of downtown Fort Myers (ZIP 33901), the SAMHSA locator lists 21 substance use treatment facilities:
- 7 offering detoxification (withdrawal management)
- 6 with residential programs
- 17 offering outpatient services
Opioid withdrawal is rarely fatal by itself, but it is brutal - flu-like symptoms, severe cramping, and overwhelming cravings that push people back to use. Medication for opioid use disorder - buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone - has the strongest evidence of any approach, and SAMHSA recommends it alongside counseling and recovery support. Detox alone, without a follow-on plan, leaves relapse risk high.
Getting medication and care in Fort Myers
Because the SAMHSA locator does not flag which facilities prescribe medication, it is worth calling ahead. Two practical questions cut through the noise: does the program offer buprenorphine or methadone on site, and can it start this week? Many outpatient programs can schedule a same-week intake, which matters when cravings are active. If you are uninsured or underinsured, Central Florida Behavioral Health Network - the DCF Managing Entity for Lee County and 13 other counties - can connect you to state-funded treatment. Florida Medicaid (AHCA) covers medically necessary care for eligible members.
Naloxone and what to do in an emergency
Naloxone is available without a prescription at Florida pharmacies under a statewide standing order, and it works in minutes. Keep it where it can be found - glove box, kitchen drawer, nightstand.
- Someone unresponsive, turning blue, or breathing slowly and shallowly: call 911 immediately, give naloxone if available, and stay with them.
- 988 - call or text, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for a crisis that is not a medical emergency.
How to start today
- In an overdose, call 911 and use naloxone if you have it.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to speak with a treatment specialist, or use this form:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.
- Search findtreatment.gov with ZIP code 33901 and filter for opioid use treatment or medication-assisted treatment.
- Ask each program directly: do you prescribe buprenorphine or methadone, and can I be seen this week?
Medication changes the math on relapse. If the last three attempts have failed, the problem is usually the plan, not the person - and adding medication is the single most reliable fix.
This page is general health information, not medical advice, and is not affiliated with any facility named above.
Last updated: Sun Oct 18 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
What is the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder?
Medication for opioid use disorder - buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone - has the strongest evidence of any approach, and is recommended by SAMHSA and major medical bodies alongside counseling. These medications reduce overdose death and keep people engaged in care. They work best when they are part of a plan that also addresses housing, work, and health.
How many opioid treatment facilities are near Fort Myers, FL?
The SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov locator lists 21 substance use treatment facilities within 30 miles of downtown Fort Myers, including 7 offering detoxification, 6 with residential programs, and 17 offering outpatient care. Search findtreatment.gov with a Lee County ZIP code and filter for opioid use treatment to see which programs prescribe medication.
What do the overdose numbers look like in Lee County?
Florida's Fort Myers medical examiner district recorded 173 deaths with fentanyl involved in 2024, 149 of which were caused by fentanyl, plus 29 deaths involving fentanyl analogs. Lee County recorded 171 drug-poisoning deaths in 2024. Statewide, opioid-caused deaths fell about 32% from 2023, but fentanyl remained the leading drug in overdose deaths.
What should I do if someone overdoses?
Call 911 immediately, administer naloxone (Narcan) if it is available, and stay with the person until help arrives. Naloxone is available without a prescription at Florida pharmacies under a statewide standing order. If the person is not in immediate danger but needs help for opioid use, call or text 988 or call (800) 653-9376.