U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson will be in West Palm Beach on Wednesday to get an update from local scientist working to develop a break through drug that may help in the opioid crisis.
RELATED: CDC: Using opioids 1 day can get you hooked | Opioids cause 63% of overdose deaths
Opioids are super addictive and are causing people to overdose on them.
In February, Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Melissa McKinlay sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott urging him to declare a public health emergency in the county.
McKinlay cited the loss of life and financial impact to the county.
Nelson says he is overly concerned about the opioid crisis. In 2015, 2,200 Floridians died from overdoses.
During his Wednesday visit, Nelson says he plans on asking scientists if cuts to the National Institutes of Health will impact their progress on forming the new non-addictive drug.
Right now, the Trump administration is proposing a 20 percent cut to the NIH.
Nelson’s visit is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. He will meet with the scientist at the Mandel Public Library in West Palm Beach.
