In his letter to Scott, Brown wrote, “I am writing to urge you to reverse course and support rigorous monitoring of oxycodone and other prescription opioids in your state. The decisions you make in regard to prescription drug abuse in Florida will have a direct impact on Ohio, which is second only to Florida in the number of Oxycodone prescriptions filled. “
Brown wrote that if Florida’s prescription drug monitoring program was cut, “it would hamper efforts to combat the scourge of drug addiction nationwide and especially in Ohio.”
Brown said Ohio has waged a bipartisan war against the prescription drug epidemic.
“Now is not the time for the Florida governor to halt efforts that deter the so-called ‘Oxy Express’ of prescription drugs diverted to Ohio and other states.”
The ‘Oxy Express’ is a theoretical drug pipeline that starts in Florida and runs through Ohio.
“Failing to take action in Florida to combat Oxycodone abuse serves to help sustain the illegal prescription drug pipeline in your state. Both the Strickland and Kasich administrations in Ohio have advocated for thorough and comprehensive approaches to combating prescription drug abuse,” Brown wrote to Scott. “I urge you to follow their lead and do everything in your power to choke off the supply of unjustifiably prescribed and dispensed prescription pain killers, and to address the drug dealing and addiction that inevitably follow. Your action – or inaction – has national implications, and I urge you to be proactive in your efforts to combat the pain pill epidemic.”
According to sunsentinel.com, Scott is is quoted as saying, “I don’t think it’s the state’s responsibility. I don’t think it’s something the state ought to be doing, tracking everybody’s, every individual’s drug interactions.”
Kentucky Republican Rep. Hal Rogers in a letter dated Feb. 17 wrote, “The notion of canceling Florida’s PDMP is equal to firing firefighters while your house is ablaze; it neither makes sense nor addresses an urgent crisis. Governor, your state, more than any other, must take this crisis seriously.”
Lawmakers from around the country have written similar letters to Scott urging him to reverse his decision.
Scott’s office could not be reached Thursday for comment.
And here's the rub - the Univ. of Central Florida has developed a tracking system that they will allow the state to use for FREE if it is housed at UCF.
Additionally, we need to get these tracking systems from the different states "talking" to each other!
Ky leads the way and the Buckeyes are wanting.
Where's Walton Jr., Todd Book, Dr. Johnson, that County nurse, the "A" Team, the memo to the Governor Strickland, and all the groupies who got on the bandwagon?
Maybe I just dount' read it in this article, Mr. Clark?
Wayne you are better than this, is it the editorial restraints?