Citrus County Fire Rescue clinician outlines 24/7 coordinated opioid recovery response

Sunshine Arnold, a licensed clinical social worker and mental health clinician with Citrus County Fire Rescue, described the county’s coordinated opioid recovery program on the county’s public‑information show and explained how the team links people in crisis to treatment.

Arnold said billboards around the county carry a phone number that routes callers to a core paramedic 24/7 and that staff typically can respond within about an hour to someone who is ready to enter treatment. “We meet that immediate physical need,” Arnold said, adding that the team provides Suboxone and returns multiple times per day as needed until a long‑term provider can take over.

The program framed the effort as a driver of improved overdose outcomes: the segment said Citrus County saw nearly 100 overdose deaths in 2020–21 and is on track this year for “what we hope will be a record low,” crediting coordinated community efforts and Fire Rescue’s role.

Arnold emphasized that short‑term medical stabilization prevents dangerous withdrawal and gives people a clearer moment to consider recovery: “After 3 or 4 days, people are clear enough in their mind that they’re able to make a rational decision about recovery,” she said.

The segment also described follow‑up and community collaboration as ongoing parts of the program; no budget figures or programmatic metrics beyond the hotline and response times were provided on the broadcast.