Broward Considers Pill Mill Ordinance
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) -On the heels of the Florida Legislature passing stricter laws regulating pain management clinics, Broward County commissioners are taking steps to stop the proliferation of so called "pill mills".
On Tuesday afternoon Commissioners tentatively passed a new ordinance regulating pain management clinics.
It mandates clinics obtain a certificate of use which requires the following:
- The name of the owner/operator
- Proof of registration with the Florida Department of Health
- No one convicted of a drug-related felony within a five year period will work, volunteer, or be allowed on the premises
- Limit hours of operation to between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday
- Will not be within 1200 linear feet of another Pain Management Clinic
- Will follow specific requirements when it comes to parking
- All activities be conducted within a completely enclosed building
If the ordinance is approved, pain management clinics already in existence will have to comply with the requirements within 60 days; they will, however, be given up to one year to comply with parking and location requirements.
"It's a baby step and we hope will be used as a model for all 31 cities," said sponsor commissioner Kristin Jacobs.
Pharmacist Nadine Sebest told the commissioner she "has to listen to parents crying on the phone when a child is trying to get a prescription filled when they are a seeker or an addict."
Activists like Rene Doyle whose lost her son to a pain pill addiction says it can't stop here.
"I'd like to see the department of health prevent the wiring of prescriptions for 300 pain pills a day," said Doyle. "That needs to be stopped."
Broward County has been referred to as the "pill mill" capital of America. In 2009, a Broward County Grand Jury issued a report noting the proliferation of pain clinics throughout the County. The number of pain management clinics in Broward more than doubled from August 2008 to November 2009.
The second public hearing on the ordinance will be held on Tuesday, May 24, at 2:00 p.m.
