Pill Mill Docs Supply Drugs With Minimal Consequences; Novus Detox Center Deals With the Aftermath

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., March 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Prescription drugs kill an average of eight people per day in Florida, dubbed home of the "pill mill" trade (1). While street-level drug dealers see long-term prison time for their wrongdoings, pill-mill medical doctors are experiencing lesser punishments. Novus Medical Detox, one of the only Florida-based detox centers serving high-dosage prescription drug abuse patients, believes it is important that professionals who irresponsibly dose out prescriptions drugs should have the same penalties as street-level dope dealers. Novus, which mainly services professionals who have become addicted to pain meds prescribed by their medical doctors, says the pain that addicts experience, and the severity of the withdrawal process, should deter doctors from prescribing potent opiates.

Pill mills—otherwise known as "healthcare facilities" that illegally prescribe and dispense controlled substances—are the leading nurturer of the prescription drug epidemic, attracting drug dealers and addicts alike. Pill mill medical doctors are contributing to widespread drug abuse and undermining the efforts of detoxification centers such as Novus.

Florida law enforcement began targeting pill mills to crack down on the growth of prescription drug abuse, but pill mill doctors often manage to avoid harsh sentences when caught. In June, 2010, a street drug dealer was arrested for selling prescription drugs and received a two-year prison sentence. That same day, two Central Florida doctors were arrested for operating a pill mill, yet they only received probation—a far smaller penalty for committing the same crime (2). The disparity between these cases highlights the problems with Florida's prescription drug laws.

Pill mills doctors often advertise their clinics as drug treatment centers. Unfortunately for addicts, these so-called "treatment centers" only feed patients' addictions by supplying more prescription drugs. Novus Medical Director, Kent Runyon, asserts that restricting access to prescription painkillers and promoting safe, effective detox programs can help mitigate the overwhelming epidemic.

"Law enforcement targets these so-called 'pain clinics,' yet many doctors walk away scot-free," said Runyon. "After the pill mills close, the doctors continue their practice elsewhere and addicts are left to face ruined lives and extremely dangerous withdrawal symptoms should they try to 'cold- turkey' it." With the steady emergence of pill mills, high-dosage drug abusers have little chance to overcome their addictions without the aid of detox centers.

Withdrawal is an important step in recovering from addiction, and is arguably the most difficult. Novus pays particular attention to strengthening its patients' bodies, making the withdrawal process as painless as possible. Novus focuses exclusively on detox and implements proprietary medical protocols, such as the vitamin IV, to replenish nutrients lost during drug abuse.

Novus advises those who are dependent on prescription drugs to seek out safe, medically-supervised detox programs, and avoid pill mills in the guise of detox facilities.

Common characteristics of pill mills include:

• Cash only/no insurance accepted;
• Armed guards;
• Inadequate physical examinations; and
• Large prescription doses of narcotics that exceed medical boundaries.

With such widespread abuse in its own backyard, Novus' mission is to win the war against prescription drug abuse. Novus' detox programs have a high success rate, and their specialized staff helps many patients complete detox in less than two weeks.

To learn more about the Novus Medical Detox center and its addiction and detox programs, visit http://www.NovusDetox.com.

About Novus Medical Detox Center

Novus Medical Detox Center offers safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs in a home-like residential setting. Located on 3.25 tree-lined acres in New Port Richey, Fla., Novus is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families as an in-patient medical detox facility. Novus is known for minimizing the discomfort of withdrawal from prescription medication, drugs and alcohol by creating a customized detox program for each patient, incorporating medication, natural supplements and fluid replenishment—putting dignity and humanity back into drug detoxification. Patients have 24/7 medical supervision, including round-the-clock nursing care and access to a withdrawal specialist, and enjoy comfortable private or shared rooms with a telephone, television, DVD player and high-speed Internet access. For more information on Novus Medical Detox Center, please visit http://www.NovusDetox.com.

(1)  Aronberg, Dave. "Prescription Drug Abuse: Florida's Health Crisis." PDF presentation; available on the Tallahassee/Leon County Responsible Decision Making Coalition website. www.leonrdmc.org/docs/pdf/Aronberg%20Rx%20Drug%20Abuse%20Training.pdf. 

(2)  Pavuk, Amy. "Pill-mill Docs Often Avoid Prison." OrlandoSentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-prescription-drug-sentence-range-20130216,0,1496786.story.

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SOURCE Novus Medical Detox