Our law office has very closely followed the Florida Legislature's creation of a computerized prescription drug database. We have been honored by reports that the Russo & Russo Prescription Drug Database website page is perhaps the most authoritative source on the Internet in detailing its history, intended purpose and proposed operation.
In September, we wrote in a Blog that Corporate Wrangling over the prescription database contract had delayed the start of the program from the legislated deadline of December 1st, 2010 to February 2011. Only twelve days ago, in a second Blog article, we speculated that Governor Rick Scott's elimination of Florida's Office of Drug Control could translate into further delays. Now comes a report that we won't see the implementation of Florida's Prescription Database program until late spring or summer - at the soonest. It seems that the losing contract bidder, Optimum Technology, Inc., has filed a second protest necessitating review by an administrative judge. You have to question the government's ability to effectively and timely handle this latest salvo in light of the fact that the Florida Office of Drug Control lost all funding and was forced to close its doors yesterday.
Our representation of numerous clients charged with felony drug possession, prescription fraud, doctor shopping and drug trafficking places us on the front line of the pain medication addiction battleground. Our regular appearance at the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center also enables us to see first hand the growing case load of Circuit Court Judge Deanna Farnell as she presides over Pinellas County's Drug Court. There is no question that the Pill Mills and continued unmonitored practices of unethical physicians will benefit from this further delay. Unfortunately, the related deaths of seven Floridians a day who overdose on pain meds will remain an ongoing tragedy.
Arrested for a Drug Charge in St. Petersburg or Clearwater?
We are experienced lawyers who routinely handle drug charges within the the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area. At Russo & Russo, our objective is to make every effort to pursue drug rehabilitation strategies in an effort to avoid conviction and jail.
Contact our office for a free consultation at: (727) 578-0303
Visit our criminal defense website at: www.defensehelp.com
Visit our Impaired Driving website at: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com
Other Related Links:
ABC Action News - Budget Cuts Bad News for Fight Against Pill Mills
Closing Office of Drug Control Will Cost Florida
New Governor Needs to Focus on Prescription Drug Abuse
Efforts to Halt Pill Pipeline From Florida Delayed
Avoiding Conviction for a Pinellas County Drug Charge
Prescription Drugs - An Invitation to Pinellas County Criminal Court
Drug Trafficking in Florida - A Crime You Thought You Understood
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