State Representative Mike Fasano Shares that Prescription Drug Deaths are Down in Florida

State Representative Mike Fasano, sponsor of legislation which created the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, stringent registration requirements for doctors who prescribe controlled substances, elimination of dispending of controlled substances from doctors’ offices and other tough measures, announces that deaths due to prescription drugs are significantly down in Florida.  The 2012 Interim Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons Report shows that deaths with a causal relationship to oxycodone dropped 29.1% during the first six months of 2012 (as compared to the second half of 2011).  Additionally, over 200 less people with a link to prescription drugs died during this same period. 

“It took many years of hard work, as well as fighting off attempts by Governor Scott and others in leadership, to create the Prescription Drug Monitoring program as well as to enact some of the toughest pill mill laws in the nation,” Representative Mike Fasano states.  “When the Florida Department of Law Enforcement releases a report which shows that drug deaths are down it proves that not only are the laws effective they are needed.  I praise Attorney General Pam Bondi for her leadership, as well as law enforcement at all levels, for the ultimate success of the legislation which has led to saved lives and safer communities.” 

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement further reports that drug deaths due to methadone decreased by 18.3%.  Deaths attributed to hydrocodone dropped by 16.4%. 

“I will continue to work with my colleagues to make Florida the model state for tough public health and safety laws,” Representative Fasano states. “We have accomplished much, as these numbers point out, but we still have far to go.  We will not rest until deaths due to the overprescribing of prescription drugs, drug diversion and/ or doctor shopping is something of the past.”