Bilirakis Examines Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis

Press Release

In an Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing this morning, Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL) examined the prescription drug abuse crisis, including the growing problem of babies born addicted to prescription drugs and the resources available to local public health officials. During the hearing, Mr. R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, also accepted the Congressman's invitation to visit the Tampa Bay area with him to review this issue more closely.

"Along with many Floridians, I'm concerned about the alarming increase in prescription drug abuse and the illegal sales of prescription medications," said Bilirakis. "Issues concerning both the overprescribing and the illegal use and sale of these drugs need to be addressed both at the federal and state level."

Prescription drug abuse has plagued the United States for many years and continues to be a growing problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified prescription painkiller abuse as a health epidemic and determined that this is the fastest growing drug problem in the U.S. Over the past decade, there has been a more than fourfold increase in opioid overdose deaths with direct healthcare costs for prescription drug abuse exceeding more than $70 billion every year.

In a 2010 Florida Department of Law Enforcement report, the 12th District of Florida, which Bilirakis represents, had some of the highest death rates due to oxycodone in the state. Pasco and Pinellas Counties also led the state in methadone and hydrocodone deaths that year. Over the last five years, the number of ER-related visits from misuse or abuse of prescription drugs has also nearly doubled.

Florida has taken many positive steps to fight prescription drug abuse, including legislation passed in 2011 to eliminate pill mills. As a result of the state's efforts, the number of Florida doctors on the Drug Enforcement Agency's list of the top 100 oxycodone purchasers has declined by 97 percent and pain management clinic registration has declined by 36 percent in a single year.

"While this is a good start, there is more we can do," said Bilirakis. "I remain committed to monitoring this issue and finding ways we can combat prescription drug abuse both in Florida and nationwide."

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