The Bonita Springs City Council convened on June 18, 2025, to discuss a proposed interlocal agreement with Lee County concerning the implementation of an opioid management plan. This initiative stems from a nationwide settlement involving pharmaceutical companies, primarily prosecuted by the Florida attorney general, which also included participation from various local governments and counties.

The council recalled their previous involvement in a settlement that led to the establishment of the Florida plan, designed to allocate funds to various entities, including state agencies, nonprofits, hospitals, and local governments. Bonita Springs had previously collaborated with Lee County to ensure that enough cities were included in the jurisdiction, qualifying them as a regional entity to access additional funding.

During the meeting, it was noted that Bonita Springs is set to receive substantial funding over the next couple of decades, although specific details were to be provided later. The council emphasized the necessity of demonstrating that these funds would be utilized for prevention and treatment options related to opioid issues, which the city currently lacks.

The council had previously directed staff to explore options in collaboration with Lee County and the sheriff's office. The proposed plan would allow Bonita Springs to adopt the strategies already established by Lee County, thereby addressing the opioid crisis within the city. Concerns were raised regarding the presence of opioid-related issues in Bonita Springs, with some reports from the sheriff's office indicating that there were indeed challenges.

The meeting underscored the importance of local action in response to the opioid crisis, particularly in light of the absence of a local hospital, which complicates the collection of direct information regarding the impact of opioid use on residents. The council's decision to move forward with the interlocal agreement reflects a commitment to tackling this pressing public health issue in the community.