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Statewide Drug Task Force Targets Pill Mills

May 13, 2011 | WMFE - The effort to end Florida's reputation as the "pill mill" capital of the country includes a coordinated effort by law enforcement agencies to work together through regional drug strike forces.

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The Statewide Drug Task Force was created in March by Governor Rick Scott and is being run by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  The 7 regional drug strike forces are coordinating law enforcement efforts at the local level. 
Naples Police Chief Tom Weschler co-chairs Southwest Florida’s 10-county regional strike force.
“I think all law enforcement agencies have been addressing this on their own level.” Weschler said. “And I think that’s what’s great about the strike force is what we’ve already been addressing it’s being able to coordinate those efforts.”
The strike forces have created target lists and are now conducting several long term investigations involving doctors, pharmacies and the illegal distribution of drugs at the street level.  Chief Weschler says establishing a prescription drug database will be crucial to combating the problem.  The state legislature last week passed a measure cracking down on pill mills with stiffer penalties for doctors who over-prescribe drugs and unscrupulous pain clinic operators. 


 

 

 

 

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