SCOTT PLANS PILL MILL FIGHT

But Supporters of a Prescription Monitoring Database Scoff At His
Alternative Approach

TALLAHASSEE -- Facing criticism for not supporting a database that
many believe would help combat the state's prescription drug
epidemic, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday launched his own initiative to
fight the problem.

At a news conference where he was flanked by Attorney General Pam
Bondi and a handful of law enforcement officers, Scott announced a
statewide drug trafficking "strike force."

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey will
lead the effort, coordinating with local law enforcement agencies.

Scott directed the FDLE to use $800,000 in unspent federal grant
money to help pay for overtime and other costs associated with the effort.

"I have consistently said that we must target the criminal source of
this terrible problem in our state," Scott said. "Our locals can't
tackle the issue alone. They need the assistance of a statewide
coordinated effort that provides intelligence, analysis and
investigative support."

Backers of the prescription drug monitoring database, though,
immediately lobbed attacks on Scott's proposal.

"Arresting your way out of this isn't going to happen," said Paul
Sloan, a Venice-based pain clinic owner and president of the Florida
Society of Pain Management Providers.

Sloan stressed that the work of law enforcement is critical but not
the solution needed.

"This is the governor's way of trying to show that he's tough on this
issue without putting the PDMP into place, which is ludicrous," Sloan said.

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, one of the strongest champions
of the database, said he is glad the governor took steps to stop the
illegal flow of prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Vicodin and
Xanax throughout the state.

"Early on he kind of brushed it off as almost not caring about it.
That's the impression he gave," Fasano said. "I would challenge the
governor, though, to ask every person he has on that strike force
their opinion on whether the state should have a prescription drug
monitoring program."

Fasano said he suspects they would all support it.

He said he also found it curious that the governor was able to come
up with $800,000 for the law enforcement effort but not for the database.

In 2009, the Legislature and then-Gov. Charlie Crist established the
program with plans to launch it in 2010, though the legislation
included no funding.

Through federal grants and private donations to a foundation, there's
enough money to get the database going -- more than $1 million. And
Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin, has offered another $1 million to
the state to run the program.

But bid disputes have kept it on hold, and last month Scott announced
his plan to repeal the legislation because of funding issues and
privacy concerns.

Scott said privacy remains his biggest worry.

Scott called the strike force "phase one" in a comprehensive plan
taking aim at the state's so-called "pill mill" problem.

"It recognizes that law enforcement officers on the front line
targeting criminals will be how we stop this problem," Scott said.

The "strike force" involves personnel in the Department of Health,
Agency for Health Care Administration, Division of Business and
Professional Regulation, Florida Highway Patrol and, with the
blessing of chief financial officer Jeff Atwater, investigators in
the office of insurance fraud.

In her remarks, Bondi, who supports the database, acknowledged that
she and the governor have a difference of opinion. But she praised
the governor for taking action on the law enforcement front.

"We need more tools for all these people standing behind us," she said.

Later, Bondi said she considers the database one of those "essential" tools.

The state House of Representatives, at the urging of Speaker Dean
Cannon, has proposed eliminating the database. But Senate President
Mike Haridopolos has said that proposal won't make it through his
chamber. In fact, fellow Republican Sen. Rene Garcia got nowhere in a
Senate committee Monday with a bill amendment that would have killed
the database. The amendment was dropped without even being put up for a vote.