Orange Sheriff Says "Pill Mills" Crackdown is Working
Friday, August 5, 2011
By: Tom Parkinson

Aug. 05, 2011 | WMFE - State lawmakers passed some tough new laws during the spring legislative session cracking down on rogue pain management clinics, often called "Pill Mills." The new rules include a statewide database to track prescription drugs and discourage the practice of "doctor shopping" -- that's when addicts and drug dealers visit numerous doctors and clinics to obtain multiple prescriptions for powerful and highly addictive pain medications.

On the local level, Orange County has placed a moratorium on new pain clinics.
But law enforcement is starting to see some un-intended consequences of the crackdown, including an increase in drug deals on the street.
90.7’s Tom Parkinson spoke with Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings about the ongoing prescription drug abuse problem.
Demings is on a new prescription drug abuse task force appointed by County Mayor Teresa Jacobs.

More information about Orange County's Prescription Drug Task Force: http://orangecountyfl.net/YourLocalGovernment/BoardofCountyCommissioners/OrangeCountyMayorTeresaJacobs/PrescriptionDrugTaskforce.aspx