Task Force to Probe Impact of Prescription Drugs on Newborns

A task force focused on prescription drug abuse, specifically its impact on newborns, would be created by legislation announced Wednesday by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland.

The task force would be charged with examining the scope of the problem, the costs associated with caring for babies with neonatal withdrawal syndrome, the long-term effects of the syndrome, and strategies for preventing prescription drug abuse by expectant mothers, a release from the attorney generals office stated.

The statewide task force, to be comprised of 10 members with Bondi aschair, would examine the emerging problem of Neonatal Withdrawal Syndrome as it pertains to prescription drugs.

Other task force members would include: the state surgeon general, the secretary of Children and Family Services, the secretary of the Health Care Administration, the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement, a state senator, a House member; a representative from the Florida Medical Association, a representative from the Florida Hospital Association, and a representative from an addiction and recovery association appointed by the attorney general.

View House Bill 227 here.