When two Daytona Beach Police Officers wanted to search the home that 46-year old David Beauprez shared with his elderly mother, they lied to the woman to gain entry without a warrant. Circuit Judge Joseph Will reasoned that if the police were willing to lie to the elderly mother for a small amount of drugs, their case against Beuprez could not be trusted, and he suppressed the crucial drug evidence in the case. [Read more…]
Cocaine Use & Abuse on the Decline
Miami, the city known as the hub of cocaine trafficking in its heyday is now leading the way in the waning cocaine trend, according to the Miami Herald. Though the reasons for this drop in cocaine presence are multiple, including the bleak economic system, it seems the drug is being replaced with cheaper and easier to obtain substances. [Read more…]
Florida Prescription Drug Tracking On-Line
The prescription drug tracking system which passed the legislature in 2009 is finally up and running as of midnight Thursday night. After issues with funding and an effort by Governor Scott to kill the program, Florida has become the 36th state to create such a system in the battle against prescription drug abuse. [Read more…]
Florida Drug Law Stricken, Ruled Unconstitutional
In a move that stands to potentially flood the Florida courts with a multitude of appeals, U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven ruled the statewide Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act to be unconstitutional, eliminating its impact altogether. [Read more…]
Elaborate Marijuana Grow Houses Boom in Florida
Florida was the number one state in the country for seized marijuana grown houses last year. Not really the kind of achievement worth bragging about, but definitely something to take notice of. High demand for potent pot has opened up a lucrative business opportunity for some, who find themselves turning their homes or other properties into small marijuana factories. [Read more…]
FL Prescription Drug “Pill-Mill” Bill Passed
Legislation drafted to assist Florida in combating the illegal prescription drug trade passed the state Legislature with overwhelming approval this week. And though Governor Rick Scott expressed uncertainty over some elements of the bill early on, he’s expected to sign off on it when it crosses his desk. [Read more…]
Florida Considers Removal of Some Drug Mandatory Minimums
Some lawmakers are looking to remove mandatory minimum sentences for drug users and allow judges to get back to the business of sentencing. And while the proposition has support on both sides, the Governor is adamant that changing sentencing laws is not the right solution. [Read more…]
Will Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Be Nixed Before Launching?
It’s been almost two years since Florida lawmakers voted to create a prescription drug monitoring database. And yet it still hasn’t taken shape. A new article from the St. Petersburg Times examines all of the variables that have stood to delay the launch of the program and the issues that may be leading to its demise. [Read more…]
Florida Prescription Drug “Pill Mills” Raided
Six people are facing charges after law enforcement from federal and state agencies swooped in on south Florida pill mills this week. The owners and operators of the mills are accused of illegally dispensing more than 660,000 doses of oxycodone, according to this Reuters report. [Read more…]
Florida Governor-Elect to Drop Drug Office
Governor-elect Rick Scott made a controversial announcement this week that he will be dissolving the Office of Drug control at the first of the year. Having pledged to cut unnecessary spending, people are up in arms justifying the need for this office which played a role in getting the funding for the newest efforts at curbing the illegal prescription drug trade. [Read more…]