Prescription Drug Abuse Highest in South Florida
It could be the number of prescriptions filled by the “snow-birds”. These retired Americans move to warmer climates, and usually have prescriptions filled by their insurance or Medicaid.
It could be that controls for prescription drugs are laxer in this area than in other areas.
Whatever the reason, prescription drug abuse has become an alarming trend in Florida. In particular, South Florida has become the largest supplier of illegal prescriptions drugs in the country. The number of pain clinics and doctor's willing to prescribe these medications has made the area the logical choice for traffickers and drug addicts looking to obtain prescription drugs including powerful painkillers.
Some pharmacies in Florida have instituted a policy of requiring local ID’s to fill prescriptions, only to have sales drop by almost 20%.
“Many people do not realize that prescription drugs can be as addicting as street drugs,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for the Atlanta Recovery Center. “Many get hooked on Oxycontin or Percocets, and then switch to heroin because they can’t afford $80 a pill. People in their so-called ‘Golden Years’ are drug addicted as bad as younger counterparts. Instead of enjoying their retirement, they have to get drugs to just make it through the day.”
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