Pubdate: Mon, 28 Feb 2011
Source: Star-Banner, The (Ocala, FL)
Copyright: 2011 The Star-Banner
Contact:  http://www.starbanner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1533
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

WELCOME TO THE OXY-TOURISM CAPITAL

The reasons for Florida to implement the Prescription Drug Monitoring 
Program "" despite Gov. Rick Scott's opposition "" are painfully apparent.

Recently reported data show that the number of newborns with 
drug-withdrawal syndrome continued to increase last year.

Last week, the Orlando Sentinel reported that, in the first half of 
2010, Florida officials recorded 635 such cases. The frequency of 
reported cases during those six months was, according to the most 
recent data available, on pace to exceed the numbers from 2009 "" 
when nearly 1,000 babies were treated for the painful symptoms linked 
to withdrawal. From 2006 to 2009, Florida experienced a 173 percent 
increase in such cases.

The state's numbers don't explain the cause of the newborns' 
withdrawal symptoms, but many doctors believe that the increase in 
cases is linked to the rising rates of prescription-drug abuse and addiction.

Most mothers are not tested for the presence of such drugs, but the 
doctors' hypothesis is supported by the rising number of deaths and 
addiction cases tied to powerful, addictive narcotics. Prescription 
drugs contributed to the deaths of about 2,500 Floridians of all ages 
during each of the past several years, with the numbers rising 
annually, according to the Florida Medical Examiners Commission. 
Experts believe that the number of drug-related deaths is 
substantially understated, in part because medical examiners don't 
conduct autopsies after all deaths.

A raid on pill mills in Southeast Florida lasts week underscored the 
magnitude of the problem. Federal, state and local agents arrested 
clinic operators, many of whom have no medical background, for 
dispensing enormous quantities of narcotics "" on a cash-only basis 
"" and soliciting clients via phone calls and the Internet.

Florida's failure to implement the Legislature-approved Prescription 
Drug Monitoring Program, which would include a trackable database 
designed to flag the dispensing of large quantities of narcotics such 
as OxyContin, has even drawn criticism from officials in other 
Southeastern states.

The critics cite the fact that residents of other states routinely 
drive to Florida to buy prescription narcotics, and then return to 
sell those drugs. Authorities have found drugs dispensed in Florida 
at the scenes of numerous deaths throughout the Southeast.

Despite the pain and suffering experienced by Floridians and 
residents of other states "" and the embarrassment of Florida "" Gov. 
Scott has proposed eliminating the Drug Monitoring Program. Scott 
said the program was ineffective, even though it hasn't been 
implemented, and cited concerns about potential costs.

Fortunately, even some skeptics are becoming supporters. Senate 
President Mike Haridopolos said Wednesday that he not only wants to 
retain and implement the program, but would be willing to fund it 
with taxpayers' funds if necessary. "oeWe will get this funded, 
because it's a major problem,"  Haridopolos said. "oeIt is destroying 
people's lives. And I think we need to make a vigilant stand and lead 
and make sure that Florida is no longer the pill mill capital of America."

Exactly. Implementing and funding the program are worth the effort, 
the cost and a showdown with Scott.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom