Tampa, FL, Sept. 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The first study shows a significant drop in deaths caused by the abuse of prescription painkillers. The second shows that doctors are writing fewer prescriptions for addictive narcotics. Tampa pill mill attorney Robert Joyce says the progress is welcome news.
"The legislation and enforcement that make up Florida's fight against pill mills was sorely needed," Joyce said, "and the results speak for themselves. The abuse of these addictive drugs on the part of doctors, dealers, and users was claiming as many as seven lives in Florida each day. We have come a long way, but now is not the time to become complacent. We need to continue working to make Florida safe from prescription drug abuse."
The first study, by narcotics expert Jim Hall, shows deaths attributed to painkillers dropped 17 percent in the first half of 2012 when compared with the previous six-month period. That amounts to eight fewer deaths each week. The second, by the Workers Compensation Research Institute, based in Cambridge, Mass., found that physicians were more likely to prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers that were less powerful and addictive in the wake of the 2011 legislation.
The law, signed by Gov. Rick Scott in June, 2011, bans doctors from dispensing specific drugs with a high potential for abuse. Previously, the drugs were often prescribed and dispensed under one roof, often in huge numbers. The legislation also created a database to track drug prescriptions, set stricter oversight standards on doctors, and strengthened criminal and administrative penalties against doctors and clinics that improperly prescribe addictive painkillers.
"Those of us closely involved in the pill mill epidemic knew that this legislation was a positive step forward, but it's good to see some solid research to back that up," added Joyce.
Learn more at http://www.joyceandreyespa.com/
Joyce & Reyes Law Firm 307 South Hyde Park Avenue Tampa, FL, 33606 USA Phone: 813-251-2007
