Mayor Keith James Appointed to Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement

Published on August 01, 2025

August 1, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Kathleen Joy, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
kjoy@wpb.org

(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

Mayor Keith A. James Appointed to Florida’s Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (August 1, 2025) – The City of West Palm Beach is proud to announce that Mayor Keith A. James has been appointed to the Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement, a statewide body established to guide Florida’s coordinated response to the opioid epidemic. The appointment was made by the Florida League of Cities (FLC) and confirmed by FLC Executive Director and CEO Jeannie Garner.

Operating under the Florida Department of Children & Families (DCF), the Council plays a vital role in shaping how opioid settlement funds are allocated, promoting evidence-based strategies, and supporting communities impacted by the crisis. Mayor James will serve a two-year term as the FLC’s designated municipal representative on the rotating seat.

“The opioid epidemic continues to devastate families and communities across Florida, and local governments are on the front lines of the response,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “I’m honored to serve on this Council and to represent the voices of our cities as we work together to drive meaningful, results-oriented solutions for the people we serve."

As a member of the Council, Mayor James will collaborate with state leaders, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and community organizations to advance comprehensive strategies aimed at prevention, treatment, recovery, and public education. The Council was established through CS/CS/HB 783, signed into law in 2023 (Chapter 2023-184).

Mayor James joins fellow FLC appointees Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo of the City of Port St. Lucie, representing municipalities with populations over 50,000, and Council Member Josh Fuller of the Town of Bay Harbor Islands, representing municipalities under 10,000.

To learn more about the Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement, visit the Florida Department of Children & Families website or explore opioid settlement resources at www.floridaopioidsettlement.com.

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About The City of West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic city on Florida's Atlantic coast. With a rich history, thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region and the central city of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing waterfront city that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the area with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit our official website or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn.

To contact the City of West Palm Beach, please dial (561) 822-1200 (TTY 800 955-8771). For information about the City of West Palm Beach, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/home