In 2010, it was called the “single greatest challenge to the state’s public health and safety,” according to Florida drug czar Bruce Grant. The unlawful prescription drug trade was in full swing, with pill mills doling out powerfully addictive pills left and right and the number of Floridians being killed by otherwise legal drugs growing exponentially. The problem was met with swift action and a collective effort by state, federal, and local authorities. Now it seems to be coming under control, but the fight hasn’t been all positive. [Read more…]
Oxycodone Deaths Down, Other Drug Deaths Up in FL
Oxycodone addiction is a serious problem. It’s one of the most popular prescription drugs to abuse and it’s been at the center of Florida’s war on “pill mills”. Indications are that Floridians are using less of it. But the bad news is that drug related deaths overall are up. [Read more…]
Fort Lauderdale “Pill Mill” Busted, 10 Arrested
In the past few years, the state of Florida has seen numerous pill mills move out, as lawmakers have passed stricter laws and law enforcement have cracked down. But these clinics of questionable ethics are still around, as was shown this week in Fort Lauderdale where 10 people including seven doctors were arrested. [Read more…]
Florida Prescription Drug Tracking On-Line
The prescription drug tracking system which passed the legislature in 2009 is finally up and running as of midnight Thursday night. After issues with funding and an effort by Governor Scott to kill the program, Florida has become the 36th state to create such a system in the battle against prescription drug abuse. [Read more…]
FL Prescription Drug “Pill-Mill” Bill Passed
Legislation drafted to assist Florida in combating the illegal prescription drug trade passed the state Legislature with overwhelming approval this week. And though Governor Rick Scott expressed uncertainty over some elements of the bill early on, he’s expected to sign off on it when it crosses his desk. [Read more…]
Will Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Be Nixed Before Launching?
It’s been almost two years since Florida lawmakers voted to create a prescription drug monitoring database. And yet it still hasn’t taken shape. A new article from the St. Petersburg Times examines all of the variables that have stood to delay the launch of the program and the issues that may be leading to its demise. [Read more…]
Florida Prescription Drug “Pill Mills” Raided
Six people are facing charges after law enforcement from federal and state agencies swooped in on south Florida pill mills this week. The owners and operators of the mills are accused of illegally dispensing more than 660,000 doses of oxycodone, according to this Reuters report. [Read more…]
Prescription Drug Laws Stalled for Lack of Funding
Regulations to control Florida’s pain clinics and “pill mills” are in limbo as legislators “inadvertently” stopped progress due to funding. According to the Miami Herald, a new law designed to stop excessive state spending has tied up the prescription drug regulations scheduled to take effect just a few days ago. [Read more…]
Current FL Prescription Drug Problem “Worst” Ever
According to the St. Petersburg Times, the local Pinellas Sheriff is calling the current prescription drug abuse problem, the worst he has ever seen—and he’s seen a lot. He was with local law enforcement in the 1980s and the crack cocaine problems of the nineties. But what he sees now doesn’t compare, he says. [Read more…]
Florida’s Drug Prescribing Doctors Under Fire
With arguably one of the worst prescription drug problems in the country, Florida has seen record numbers die from prescription drug overdoses. Despite this, according to a report from St. Petersburg Times, law enforcement struggles to cut off the prescription drug trade where it starts–with the physicians. [Read more…]