After a decade-long decrease in usage, more teens are drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. In a new report the number of teens that admitted to smoking pot is up from 19% last month to 25% this month. The numbers of teens drinking rose 11%. It translated to an increase of about 700,000 teenagers drinking.
The use of ecstasy among teenagers is also on the rise according to the report published on TBO.com. The amount of teens using illegal prescription drugs or over the counter cough medicine did not increase and heroin use remained low at 5% according to the report. The report surveyed more than 3,000 teens in the 9-12 grades.
Prescription fraud has gradually became the focus of Florida Law Enforcement over cocaine and marijuana as of late according to a story in the St. Pete Times. A recent 10-month drug investigation involving prescription drug fraud in Pinellas County resulted in impressive numbers. “Operation Pill Poppers” wound up with 150 counts of doctor shopping, 55,000 pills worth three-quarters of a million dollars and 74 suspects. The problem, as of yesterday there were only 20 arrests made.
The prescription drug crimes division for Pinellas County has doubled in size in hopes of battling the growing problem of prescription drug fraud. With no statewide prescription computer system, doctor shopping and prescription fraud is a growing problem in Florida. According to the story law enforcement believes if they could stop paper prescriptions, 70% of the prescription fraud cases would go away.
A couple living in Plant City have been arrested and booked into Hillsborough County jail on charges of possession of marijuana , possession of methamphetamine, child neglect, manufacturing of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to TampaBay.com the pair manufactured meth in their home where their three young children also lived. Deputies searched the home acting on a tip.
Matthew and Beth Cantin were arrested Monday evening as deputies report they found items in the couple’s garbage that are used to make meth and they also report finding a small amount of pot at the home as well. The Cantin’s three children range in ages from 6 to 9 according to the story.
A pair of men from Dunedin and Tampa have been charged with drug trafficking for supplying oxycodone to drug addicts through their pain management clinics. According to authorities as reported on TBO.com three other people have been charged and two have already pled guilty to drug distribution charges. The pair that has already pled guilty admitted to distributing morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and alprazolam. The drugs were allegedly dealt out of pain center clinics in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Lakeland and Jacksonville.
On top of the charges for drug trafficking , Troy Wubbena of Tampa is being charged with cheating more than $200,000 from Medicare. The investigation has been going on since 2008 and was conducted undercover by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office. Wubbena is the co-owner of Neurology & Pain Center clinics according to the story.
