Vern Buchanan Introduces 'Pill Mill Crackdown Act'

The Sunshine States fight against prescription-drug abuse and pill mills received a bit of help from the federal government on Monday when Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan unveiled The Pill Mill Crackdown Act of 2011 with support of congressmen from both parties.

Buchanans legislation would direct money seized from pill mill operators to be used for drug treatment, increase fines and sentences for those convicted of running pill mills and change standards, making hydrocodone drugs harder to obtain.

Today, we take a crucial step toward putting these pill mills out of business, said Buchanan. 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. I appreciate the bipartisan support Ive received from members across the country who recognize the severity of this epidemic.