Lawmakers Crackdown on Prescription Drug Abuse
March 24th, 2009 by flanewsBy the end of the day at least five Floridians will die from the illegal use of over the counter drugs.
A bipartisan bill in Tallahassee would limit access to prescription drugs that are commonly abused. The legislation would require pharmacies to purchase fingerprint and eye scanning machines to track people who buy powerful painkillers, like Vicadin and Oxycontin. Former US Drug Enforcement Officer Michael McManus said prescription painkillers are quickly becoming the drug of choice among teens.
�Cocaine, heroine, meth, marijuana, absolutely a problem, but the biggest problem we’re facing today is the prescription medicine and the fact that our youth are beginning to experiment with drugs at a younger age, and these forming parties are an example of what is taking place,� said McManus.
The scanning equipment would cost drug retailers about 500 dollars to purchase and install. The legislation suggests federal grants would pick up some of the costs.
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