Florida Coalition Alliance

For Immediate Release

February 9, 2011

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The Florida Coalition Alliance stands strongly united against the Governor’s plans to eliminate Florida’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Plan (PDMP) simply because prescription drug abuse is an epidemic and the magnitude of its reach is devastating for all Floridians.

Every day in Florida, 7 people die due to prescription drug overdose. Prescription drug abuse and diversion cost Florida an estimated $15 billion in 2009. Recent national survey results show that 1 in 5 teens have abused a prescription pain medication and 1 in 5 teens report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers*. In another survey teens reported that the intentional misuse of prescription drugs is now only second to marijuana as the nation’s most prevalent drug problem**.

“It just is not possible to deny that Florida’s prescription drug abuse problem is massive with far reaching consequences,” stated Pat Castillo, Chair of the Florida Coalition Alliance. “Our decision to work closely with legislators to pass the PDMP was purposeful and well studied and based on the fact that this is a serious public health issue that is tearing families apart, taking lives and costing Floridians millions to combat with the help of law enforcement. The PDMP has worked well in many other states,” Castillo added.

The PDMP is a promising tool already in use successfully by 38 other states. The program will help prevent “doctor shopping”, prevent prescription drug abuse and overdose, prevent child abuse, domestic violence and street crimes associated with prescription drug abuse and reduce the need for prescription drug detox and treatment. The PDMP will help reduce emergency department admissions from prescription drug related automobile crashes and other drug-related injuries such as overdoses and reduce the load on law enforcement officers. Right now in the State of Florida narcotics squads are overloaded with prescription drug crimes. Most importantly, the PDMP is a superb tool for improving patient standard of care. The PDMP would be an asset to physicians, as it is a superb tool for improving patient standard of care.

The PDMP passed Florida’s Legislature in 2009 with NO state funding authorized for its implementation. The Office of Drug Control (now dismantled) then submitted for and received two federal Harold Rogers grants totaling $450,000 for the state. The Office of Drug Control established the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Foundation, Inc. that has raised $500,000 towards the implementation of a PDMP.

The PDMP will save Florida a significant amount of money by reducing the contributing factors of the prescription drug epidemic. The state of Florida has a serious problem with the illicit distribution of prescription drugs and has a reputation as a source state by drug tourists “doctor shopping” for prescription drugs. Florida itself is ranked number two in the nation for prescription drug abuse (Michalski 2010).

*2008 Partnership for a Drug Free America’s Annual Tracking Study

** SAMHSA Report issued in July of 2008

MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION:

Pat Castillo, Chair

pcastillo@unitedwaybroward.org

954-760-7007

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