Tracking system still needed for pill pipeline
Simply run an Internet search with the keywords “Florida Kentucky pipeline,” and you’ll be inundated with any number of stories originating both from Florida and Kentucky detailing how prescription pills are making their way north from the Sunshine state to the Bluegrass. That’s why it’s so upsetting here in Kentucky, where prescription pill abuse continues to ravage our communities, that Florida Gov. Rick Scott would propose a measure that would eliminate a prescription-tracking system that many, like ourselves, believe would lessen the impact of the Florida-Kentucky pill pipeline. Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo is right to be “infuriated” with Scott’s proposal. Here in Kentucky where we do actually have a prescription monitoring system (which is sorely underused), we know that tracking narcotic prescriptions can help responsible physicians prevent the prescription of pain medications to people who are taking part in the act of “doctor shopping.” There is no secret that many are traveling from Kentucky to Florida to get prescriptions for pain medications that they otherwise may not be able to get at home. It’s also no secret that many of these pills are making their way to Kentucky streets for sale to addicts. It’s unconscionable that anyone sworn to uphold the law of the land would cut a service that could do just that, and also maybe save a few lives in the process. a couple of years ago it was proposed that the Federal Government create a system modeled on Kentucky's that would function across the states. It was opposed by Rep. Hal Rogers R-KY who said he preferred that the states do their own systems and then cooperate. Like many of Congressman Rogers' projects it is funded through earmarks which are now in jeopardy.
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