Prescription drug deaths in Florida on the decline

TALLAHASSEE — Prescription drug deaths decreased during the first half of 2013 compared to the same period the year before.
 
The report released Thursday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Attorney General Pam Bondi showed that the most significant drop in prescription drug deaths was in those caused by oxycodone and alprazolam.
 
Combined, the two drugs caused 731 deaths in the first half of 2012. That was reduced to 548 deaths in the first half of last year.
 
However, hydrocodone deaths are on the rise with 158 in the first half of last year compared to 122 in the first six months of 2012.
 
Overall, there were 975 prescription drug deaths the first half of last year. Alcohol caused 302 deaths, followed by cocaine with 291 deaths.

WFTV