PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IS DEADLY

I read with interest "Prescription drug fraud costs lives," by Broward
County Sheriff Ken Jenne (March 10). I lost my brilliant 25-year-old
son, Drew Parkinson, last Easter Sunday to prescribed drugs. On Jan.
22, the Office of Drug Control held its summit meeting in Tallahassee.
I gave testimony there of my son's tragic story. I am publicly
speaking about this loss because our story needs to be told. We are
losing our young people at alarming rates. These drugs are so powerful
and the combinations are taking our sons' and daughters' last breaths
all too frequently today.

I am urging all parents to talk to your teenagers and young adults
about the dangers of these drugs. It might seem like fun at first, but
if you become addicted, the fun ends there. It no longer will be your
choice to take these drugs. Your only mission each day will be buying
these drugs for you to survive. You will have legal, financial and
family problems, big time. You will be depressed beyond belief.

When these young people die, they have found their everlasting peace.
The surviving families will face the most difficult kind of grief, the
most painful and longest of its kind.

We need to be sure that we keep funding in place for the detox and
rehab centers. The Broward Addiction Recovery Center performs an
outstanding service to our community. Dr. Scott Howell and his staff
are the most dedicated professionals in the field of addiction that I
have ever come across. The Memorial Share Program also has been there
for my deceased son.

During this sad year, I have also met with Mr. Fred Schulte,
investigative reporter. He deserves a literary award for his fine
work. His personal involvement has been an inspiration for me to
continue speaking out.

I have also had the opportunity to be in contact with Detective Lisa
McElhaney since 1997. I finally met her in person in Tallahassee in
January. The Broward Sheriff's Office should be very proud to have her
on staff.

Let's get this prescription data base passed this year. We need to do
something. I had to attend another funeral recently for another
25-year-old young man. May he rest in peace. His family will never be
the same again, that I can assure you all.

MAUREEN FLORI

Davie