Florida Sees Significant Drop in Number of Oxycodone Deaths in First Half of 2012
The number of deaths due to oxycodone decreased by 29
percent in Florida in the first six months of 2012, compared with the
second half of the previous year, according to a new report.
The drugs that caused the most deaths in the first half of 2012 were
benzodiazepines, oxycodone, ethyl alcohol, methadone and cocaine. The
report found deaths due to methadone and hydrocodone decreased 18.3
percent and 16.4 percent, respectively. Deaths caused by cocaine
decreased by 11.6 percent.
The report,
issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, provides evidence
the state is successfully fighting the prescription drug abuse epidemic,
officials said. For many years, Florida was a popular destination for
people who wanted to buy prescription drugs at “pill mills” and doctors’
offices, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
In 2011, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law
a bill designed to cut down on prescription drug abuse by controlling
pill mills in the state. The law authorized the creation of a
prescription-drug monitoring database to reduce doctor-shopping by
people looking to collect multiple painkiller prescriptions. The
legislation also imposed new penalties for physicians who overprescribe
medication and imposes stricter rules for operating pharmacies.
The law had a major impact, according to a state government news release.
“Two years ago, Florida was home to 90 of the top 100
oxycodone-purchasing physicians on a nationwide list, and today Florida
isn’t on that list,” the release states.
“I am pleased that we are continuing to see a steady decline in the
number of prescription drug deaths,” said Florida Attorney General Pam
Bondi. “These declining numbers are a direct result of our comprehensive
strategy involving partnerships at the local, state, and federal level,
and together we are saving lives.”
No comments:
Post a Comment