Prescription drug abuse is the largest narcotics problem in Highlands County in Florida. Prescription drugs are also costing people their lives in Highlands County and across the state. Last year, 11 deaths in Highlands County were blamed on drug overdoses. Of that number, three deaths were from oxycodone, one was from methamphetamine, another was from a combination of alcohol and alprazolam, one was from cocaine and the rest were from a combination of drugs.
"Prescription drugs killed 2,488 Floridians in 2009. That’s equivalent to seven deaths per day," said Mike Morrison, the public information officer for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Twelve deaths in the 10th district, which includes Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties, were blamed on oxycodone last year. This is according to a report issued by state medical examiners and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Alprazolam, or Xanax, and methadone were blamed for seven deaths each.
Across the state of Florida, oxycodone deaths increased by 25.9 percent in 2009. According to an April article in TIME magazine, there are 115 pills mills in Broward County, as opposed to only 70 McDonald’s restaurants in Broward County. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement report, oxycodone claimed 161 lives in Broward County. Overdoses from alprazolam in Broward County claimed 148 lives in Broward County.
"I consider prescription drug diversion and abuse to be the single greatest challenge we have in both public health and public safety," said Bruce Grant, the director of the Florida Office of Drug Control.
