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Florida Statute 893.131 - Full Text and Legal Analysis Florida Statute 893.131 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Fla. Stat. § 893.131 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
893.131 Distribution of controlled substances resulting in overdose or serious bodily injury.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Distribute” has the same meaning as in s. 893.02, and includes the direct or indirect delivery of a controlled substance to a user.
(b) “Emergency opioid antagonist” has the same meaning as in s. 381.887(1).
(c) “Medical care” means the administration of treatment for the purposes of preserving or sustaining life or the administration of an emergency opioid antagonist.
(d) “Overdose or serious bodily injury” means drug toxicity or a physical condition that creates a substantial risk of death or substantial loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
(e) “Substantial factor” means that the use of a substance or mixture alone is sufficient to cause an overdose or serious bodily injury, regardless of whether any other substance or mixture used is also sufficient to cause an overdose or serious bodily injury.
(2)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person 18 years of age or older who unlawfully distributes:
1. Heroin, as described in s. 893.03(1)(b)11.;
2. Alfentanil, as described in s. 893.03(2)(b)1.;
3. Carfentanil, as described in s. 893.03(2)(b)6.;
4. Fentanyl, as described in s. 893.03(2)(b)9.;
5. Sufentanil, as described in s. 893.03(2)(b)30.;
6. Fentanyl derivatives, as described in s. 893.03(1)(a)63.;
7. A controlled substance analog, as described in s. 893.0356, of any substance specified in subparagraphs 1.-6.; or
8. A mixture containing any substance specified in subparagraphs 1.-7.,

and an overdose or serious bodily injury of the user results, commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, when such substance or mixture is proven to have caused or been a substantial factor in causing the overdose or serious bodily injury of the user.

(b) A person 18 years of age or older who commits a violation of paragraph (a) and who has previously been convicted of a violation of paragraph (a) commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3) The administration of medical care by an emergency responder, including, but not limited to, a law enforcement officer, a paramedic, or an emergency medical technician is prima facie evidence that the person receiving medical care experienced an overdose or serious bodily injury.
(4) A person who experiences, or has a good faith belief that he or she is experiencing, an alcohol-related or a drug-related overdose and receives medical assistance, or a person acting in good faith who seeks medical assistance for an individual experiencing, or believed to be experiencing, an alcohol-related or a drug-related overdose, is afforded the protections provided under s. 893.21.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2023-196; s. 3, ch. 2024-20.

Arrestable Offenses under F.S. 893.131

M = misdemeanor · F = felony · degree: F=1st S=2nd T=3rd
§893.131(2a1)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTRIBUTE HEROIN CAUSE OVERDOSE/SER BOD INJF · 2nd
§893.131(2a2)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTRIB ALFENTANIL CAUSE OVERDOSE/SER BOD INJF · 2nd
§893.131(2a3)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTRIB CARFENTANIL CAUSE OVERDOSE/SER BOD INJF · 2nd
§893.131(2a4)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTRIBUTE FENTANYL CAUSE OVERDOSE/SER BOD INJF · 2nd
§893.131(2a5)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTRIB SUFENTANIL CAUSE OVERDOSE/SER BOD INJF · 2nd
§893.131(2a6)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR FENTANYL DERIVATIVE OVERDOSE/SER BOD INJF · 2nd
§893.131(2a7)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR CTRL SUBST ANALOG OVERDOSE/SER BOD INJF · 2nd
§893.131(2a8)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR MIXTURE CTRL SUBST OVERDOSE/SER BOD INJF · 2nd
§893.131(2b)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR MIXT CTRL SUBS OVERDOSE/INJ PREV CONVICF · 1st
§893.131(2b)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR CTRL SUB ANALOG OVERDOSE/INJ PREV CONVICF · 1st
§893.131(2b)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR FENTANYL OVERDOSE/INJ PREV CONVICTF · 1st
§893.131(2b)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR SUFENTANIL OVERDOSE/INJ PREV CONVICTF · 1st
§893.131(2b)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTRIB CARFENTANIL OVERDOSE/INJ PREV CONVICTF · 1st
§893.131(2b)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR ALFENTANIL OVERDOSE/SER INJ PREV CONVICTF · 1st
§893.131(2b)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR HEROIN OVERDOSE/SER BOD INJ PREV CONVF · 1st
§893.131(2b)DRUGS-DELIV/DISTRDISTR FENTANYL DERIV OVERDOSE/INJ PREV CONVICTF · 1st

Cases Citing F.S. 893.131

Fla. Stat. § 893.131 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
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Blatch v. State, 719 So. 2d 965 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998).

Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 1998 Fla. App. LEXIS 12904, 1998 WL 712891

that section does not permit a violation of section 893.131 to serve as a predicate conviction.2 Although

This Florida statute resource is curated by a Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer, a Jacksonville, Florida criminal defense attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). Attorney Syfert regularly handles Chapter 893 matters in the context of drug possession and trafficking defense and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.