Attorney General Pam Bondi Holds First Meeting of Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns

Apr 24 • 6 Views • View Comments

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Today Attorney General Pam Bondi convened the first
meeting of the Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse and
Newborns. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control
Policy, participated in the meeting as a special guest. The Task Force was
created to examine the scope of the problem of prescription drug abuse by
expectant mothers, the costs associated with caring for babies with
neonatal withdrawal syndrome, the long-term effects of the syndrome, and
prevention strategies.

“Today was a major step forward in protecting newborns from prescription
drug abuse. We have assembled a task force of dedicated people who will
fully assess the prevalence of this problem and develop prevention
strategies,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Florida’s task force could
become a prototype for how to approach this national problem.”

“Our Nation’s prescription drug abuse epidemic has taken too many lives and
harms too many Americans. I commend Attorney General Bondi and other
officials working on this important issue for their efforts to protect
public health and safety in Florida. All of us can take steps to address
this challenge and this new task force serves as part of a comprehensive
approach to reducing the prescription drug abuse threat in America,” stated
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske.

Neonatal withdrawal syndrome occurs in a newborn that has been exposed to
addictive drugs while in the womb. Symptoms of withdrawal include: fever,
seizures, blotchy skin, incessant shrill cries, respiratory problems, and
extreme sensitivity to sounds and light.

Members discussed the need to gather data concerning the problem, to better
understand the costs associated with it, and to explore local programs that
provide assistance to mothers who abuse prescription drugs and newborns
with neonatal withdrawal syndrome.

Members of the task force include:

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
State Surgeon General Dr. Steven L. Harris
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald M. Bailey
Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Elizabeth Dudak
Department of Children & Families Secretary David Wilkins
Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos
March of Dimes Assistant State Director Keith Nash
Dr. Robert Yelverton
Pediatrix Medical Group Medical Director Dr. Kenneth Solomon
Florida Nurses Association Executive Director Willa Fuller
Dr. David Dixon
Senator Joe Negron
Representative Dana Young
BayCare Behavioral Health Executive Director Doug Leonardo
Healthy Start Executive Director Jane Murphy

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Contact:
Jenn Meale
Phone: 850.245.0150
jennifer.meale@myfloridalegal.com