The Sun Sentinel reports that pill overdoses occur at a rate of seven-per-day
on average in the State of Florida. Pills such as oxycodone (OxyContin),
hydrocodone (Vicodin), and
alprazolam (Xanax) are available at pain clinics.
In recent years, Florida lawmakers have enacted a tough prescription drug
monitoring program would prevent oxycodone and other prescription drugs
from becoming part of the
drug trafficking flow.
As a part of her campaign, recently-elected Attorney General Pam Bondi
declared war on prescription drug trafficking and abuse. In one of her
first official duties as AG, Bondi appointed a "special counsel"
to oversee a new government position that deals with "pill mills."
There are at least 1,200 pain clinics were operating statewide. These pain
clinics are under tremendous scrutiny. And with elected officials like
Pam Bondi leading the charge, you'd better believe that investigations
will increase, and so will convictions and probably penalties.
Florida already has some of the toughest
mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking convictions nationwide. With Pam Bondi declaring war on
pain clinics, it is likely that the legislature will pass more laws that
could increase mandatory prison time for accused traffickers.
Attorney Eric Matheny is a
Miami-Dade County criminal defense attorney who represents clients in Miami-Dade and Broward. If you or a loved one
are facing trafficking charges,
call today to discuss your case.