With widespread law enforcement crackdowns and new legislative actions in place, Florida officials expect the state’s prescription drug misuse epidemic to improve this year.
Despite the optimism, the statistics tell a stark tale: deaths caused by prescription drug misuse continue to climb.
A new report from the Florida Medical Examiners Commission shows nearly 2,300 people died in 2010 from overdoses caused by prescription drug misuse, an increase of 7.9 percent from 2009, according to a Sun-Sentinel story. Oxycodone-related deaths, at 1,516 in 2010, were up 27.9 percent compared to 2009.
Other numbers indicate that tougher prescription drug measures may be working. According to the Sun-Sentinel, the number of oxy pills sold in the first five months of the year was down 17 percent when compared with the same period last year.
Some officials expect that the effectiveness of the law enforcement crackdowns and legislation will not be apparent until the end of the year. Another measurement tool, a statewide database designed to fight doctor shopping by pill dealers and those addicted, will not be ready until October. And even if prescription drug misuse continues to decline, health officials still worry about treatment options and availability for a high number of patients.
“‘We may be cutting back supply but we’re not ending addiction,’” said Jim Hall, director of the Center for the Study & Prevention of Substance Abuse at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, in the Sun-Sentinel story. “‘The real challenge ahead is what are we going to do with all these addicts? What treatment options? It’s going to be rehab or heroin.’”
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