Leaders From Both Parties Take Aim at Pill Mills

Leaders from the Sunshine State held a forum on Monday to tackle illegal pill mills which continue to plague Florida.

"Many of these so-called pain clinics are nothing more than illegal drug distribution networks that bring untold misery to our children, our families and our communities," said Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. "They need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly -- and those who are making money off the death and suffering of their victims should be sent to prison.

Florida is increasingly becoming one of the focal points in this field, with seven deaths a day blamed on the pill mills. Buchanans team noted Florida reportedly prescribes 10 times more oxycodone pills than all other states combined.

Joining Buchanan at the event in Sarasota were former Sen. Dave Aronberg, who ran for the Democratic nomination for attorney general last year and has been helping Attorney General Pam Bondi on pill mills, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube and officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Buchanan plans to introduce a bill in Congress on the matter down the road.

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