Florida, The Pill Mill Capital of the USA
Many reports of narcotic drug trafficking from pain management clinics in South Florida have recently surfaced. Police Captain Allen Siegel, director of a South Broward narcotics task force says “Broward County has become the Colombia for pharmaceutically diverted drugs”1. Travelers from other states are attracted to these clinics that advertise, “No Wait for Walk-Ins” and “Out of State Patients Welcome”. One South Florida pill mill even offers $25 gas coupons to “pain-afflicted travelers”. Some suggest these clinics bear the blame for the overdose deaths in Florida, with a 107% rise in oxycodone deaths in 2 years.1
Local Governments have begun adopting ordinances to declare moratoriums on the establishment of clinics providing pain-management services where medications are dispensed or prescribed.2 Cities and counties have started developing regulations for issuing permits and licenses for the creation of Pill Mills. In April, the City Commission of Margate plans to hold a public hearing and second reading of an ordinance to impose a six-month moratorium of the establishment of pain clinics.3 The Lauderhill City Commission is considering adoption of a similar ordinance regarding a nine-month moratorium.4
Senator Mike Fasano has introduced SB 2272 for the 2010 Legislative Session. This bill would place strict regulations on the establishment of pain management clinics and subject them to licensure by the DOH. If adopted, this bill will take effect on 7/1/2010.5Many see these pill mills as a huge threat to their community, with pain killers taking the place of street drugs. Is this narcotic sprawl affecting your hometown? Do you feel that Local Governments and State Legislature have the proper “tools” to address this pill mill pandemic?
Florida, The Pill Mill Capital of the USA
The following are examples tracked by OrdinanceWatch™. Sign up for pending local government action email advisories at www.OrdinanceWatch.com.
- Margate, FL to Hold Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance Regarding a Six-Month Moratorium of Pain Clinics
- Lauderhill, FL to Hold Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance Regarding a Proposed Moratorium on Pain Management Clinic Uses
- Broward County, FL Approves request to Formulate Comprehensive Regulations for Pill Mill Establishments
- Lake Worth, FL Adopts Ordinance declaring a Moratorium on establishing Pain Management Clinics
- West Palm Beach, FL Adopts Ordinance Declaring a Moratorium for the Issuance of Permits or approval for the Establishment of Pain Management Clinics
1. The Ironton Tribune | Pill mills: Florida county has become ‘the Colombia’ of pharmaceuticals. (2009, May 9). The Ironton Tribune | Named Ohio’s best community newspaper. Retrieved March 11, 2010, from http://www.irontontribune.com/news/2009/apr/09/pill-mills-florida-county-has-become-colombia-phar/
2. Meetings and Agendas. (n.d.). City of West Palm Beach, Florida. Retrieved March 11, 2010, from http://www.wpb.org/meetings/meetings.php
3. Upcoming/Previous Meeting Agendas. (n.d.). City of Margate, Florida: Official Municipal Website. Retrieved March 11, 2010, from http://www.margatefl.com/agendas.html#
4. City of Lauderhill, Florida. (n.d.). City of Lauderhill, Florida. Retrieved March 11, 2010, from http://lauderhill-fl.gov/
5. Senate 2272: Relating to Pain Management [SPSC] . (n.d.). The Florida Senate. Retrieved March 11, 2010, from http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&ElementID=JumpToBox&SubMenu=1&Year=2010&billnum=2272
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