Florida

Florida goes from “Oxy-Express” to anti-prescription drug abuse leader – 3/14/12

One year after Florida launched its pill mill strike force teams, state leaders say Florida has gone from being known as the “Oxy-Express” to a role model for the nation on how to crack down on prescription drug abuse.

On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott reported that prescription drug strike force teams have removed about a half million pills from the streets and made more than 2,000 arrests, including 34 doctors in the past year.

http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/244707/19/Florida-goes-from-Oxy-Express-to-anti-prescription-drug-abuse-leader

New York

Law Would Force New York City to Alert Neighbors on Methadone Clinic Openings – 3/13/12

New legislation has been proposed that would require the city to notify local community boards of plans to open methadone clinics in the wake of a failed attempt to bring a clinic to lower Manhattan last year.

The bill Councilwoman Margaret Chin is set to introduce would force the city’s Health Department to contact community boards and the City Council about any plans to open methadone clinics when the department is first contacted by the state Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services for certification.

http://www.dnainfo.com/20120313/manhattan/new-law-would-force-city-alert-neighbors-on-methadone-clinic-openings

Oklahoma

Addiction costs Oklahoma more than annual budget – 3/10/12

• Addiction costs Oklahoma and its residents an estimated $7.2 billion a year.
• That’s more than the state government’s budget of $6.7 billion.
• That’s roughly $1,900 for every man, woman and child in the state. Enough to create about 273,000 median-wage jobs. Enough to build nine skyscrapers like Oklahoma City’s Devon tower.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=702&articleid=20120310_11_A1_Adcinc365593