Florida's serious prescription drug abuse problem was the focus of an NPR segment today. Reporter Greg Allen notes that physicians there "prescribe 10 times more oxycodone pills than every other state in the country combined," and that drug users from neighboring areas are attracted to the state's many pain clinics. Fort Lauderdale, for example, "has become a destination not just for spring breakers but also for addicts and drug traffickers." And the head of the sheriff's office there reports that:
We have more pain clinics than [we have] McDonald's [restaurants]... They're taking their toll.
The piece also discusses the need for a system for monitoring drug prescriptions, something that Governor Rick Scott has expressed opposition to but that advocates continue to push for.
Previously: The Florida Governor's questionable actions on drugs and How to combat prescription-drug abuse
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