Floridians Taking Back Their State With Education & Awareness of Prescription Drug Abuse

Recent data from the Florida Medical Examiner shows 7 Florida residents are dying every day as a result of prescription drug abuse. In an effort to combat this sobering statistic and bring the prescription addiction epidemic to the forefront, a group of concerned physicians, residents and community organizations have joined forces to launch a non-political statewide public awareness campaign called The Pain Truth. The program, which supports Florida's new Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is endorsed by the Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and the Florida Medical Association, and is supported by the State of Florida Office of Drug Control's 2009 Drug Control Strategy.

The Pain Truth will include a series of public service announcements, free educational information, awareness talks, social media and community events across the state. This full-on offensive will canvas the state and reach people at home, workplaces, schools, churches and more, leading up to a finale' event on the day Florida's new PDMP goes into effect. Join us as The SUNSHINE STATE Goes Dark for a Day, recognizing lives lost, by offering an official day of mourning for families and friends of the thousands who have died.

This epidemic is caused by prescription drug abusers, doctor shoppers and the unethical and/or illegal conduct by some members of the medical profession---a small number of practitioners for sure that besmirch the many outstanding medical practitioners in our state---but all of these prescription drug abusers and diverters have a major negative impact upon Florida's public health and safety and other states in the Nation. This is a public health crisis.

Hundreds of Florida students are now wearing the WAKE UP! arm bands. If you would like to order arm bands for your school or organization, please email us.