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Gov. Scott Signs "Pill Mills" Bill In Ft. Lauderdale

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) -- Gov. Rick Scott was in Fort Lauderdale Friday morning where he signed a new law aimed at controlling the state's "pill mills".

"Florida will shed its title as the Oxy Express," said Gov. Scott.

The law penalizes doctors who overprescribe painkillers, tightens rules for operating pharmacies and authorizes a prescription-drug monitoring database which should be operating by the end of August.

"I am proud to sign this bill which cracks down on the criminal abuse of prescription drugs," said Scott. "This legislation will save lives in our state and it marks the beginning of the end of Florida's infamous role as the nation's Pill Mill Capital."

Florida is considered the epicenter of prescription drug abuse, with pain-management clinics supplying drug dealers and addicts with illicit prescription painkillers. The federal government says 85 percent of the powerful painkiller oxycodone is sold in Florida, much of it to people from out of state who then illegally resell the pills, primarily along the East Coast and Appalachia.

"Florida has an alarming seven deaths per day to drug overdoses," said Scott.

Helene, who refused to give her last name, attended the signing. Her son, Derick, 32, died of an overdose two years ago.

"The pain is still there," she said while showing a locket she wears with her son's picture. Her grandson was born the same day Derick died. She said the bill will save lives, and "make other people in the community aware of the epidemic."

The Republican governor originally opposed the prescription-drug monitoring database, calling it a waste of money and an invasion of privacy. But Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi and several GOP legislators pushed for the database and Scott eventually agreed.

"Not a day goes by that I don't hear a story of someone who has lost a family member or friend to prescription drug abuse," said Attorney General Bondi in a statement. "This legislation will make significant strides in ridding Florida of unscrupulous doctors and pill mills, making our state a safer place to live and raise our families."

Back in February, the feds raided several pain clinics in South Florida and arrested 23 pain clinic owners and operators on charges of illegal pill sales, among them was Dr. Zvi Perper who is the son of Broward Medical Examiner Dr. Joshua Perper. The elder Perper did attend the Governor's bill signing and said his son is not part of the problem.

"Someone is not guilty until proven guilty," said Dr. Perper. He went on to say he stands by his son and claims he did not do anything illegal. Dr. Zvi Perper has pleaded not guilty.

The Fort Lauderdale signing ceremony was the first of three. He was to have other signing ceremonies in Tampa and Orlando.

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