Council to Eye 'Pill Mill' Prohibition

Following last year's and a , the is set to consider prohibiting doctors' offices interested in dispensing prescription pain medication with little to no diagnosis of .

Citing a from Florida, where newer laws have cracked down on pill mills that had dispenses enormous amounts of highly addictive, potent pills, and numerous deaths due to lethal doses of prescription drugs, Chief Tommy Culpepper is taking aim at looking to locate in Cartersville.

"Having researched the issue and having discovered that these types of non-beneficial businesses are located within the vicinity of Cartersville, Georgia, it is my opinion that such an ordinance should be in place," Culpepper said in a memo to council. "As proof of the damage that these businesses can do to a community, the Bartow [County]-Cartersville Drug Task Force was engaged in what many are calling a landmark case involving pill mills."

The ordinance Culpepper is proposing would provide a screening process for applicants wishing to open medical or pharmacy facilities, and a questionnaire would help planning and police officials determine if those are pain clinics. Establishments classified as pain clinics would need a special license and would not be allowed to dispense medications.      
 
"This ordinance, having been drafted by the city attorney’s office, will be a major enhancement to ensuring that future generations have the quality of life that has become the hallmark of Cartersville," the chief added. "My obligation and commitment to this community requires that I recommend this ordinance to help protect the community."

A similar ordinance could take shape and prohibit pill mills outside Cartersville in Bartow County, reported.

Other items on the agenda, attached to this article, include zoning and annexation requests and several ordinances involving streets and road projects.