Drug Overdose Deaths Another Tragic Distinction for South Florida

AN OVERDOSE OF OVERDOSE DEATHS

South Florida is tops in all the wrong things again, this time in
prescription drug overdose deaths, with Palm Beach County leading the
state in fatal methadone overdoses last year, and Broward ranking
second in deaths involving the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and third in
oxycodone fatalities.

No one knows why South Florida owns this tragic distinction, but one
thing is clear: It proves why crackdowns on doctor shopping and
unscrupulously run "pill mills" are so essential. And why they deserve
an even higher ranking on the law enforcement priority list.

Drug addiction is not a victimless problem. Even if it's not your
loved one who's hopelessly hooked, your safety may be affected because
addicts often turn to crimes like burglary or robbery to feed their
habit.

So combating addiction, and reducing the incidence of overdoses, is a
societal, not just a personal, responsibility.