Pubdate: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel (FL) Copyright: 2003 South Florida Sun-Sentinel Contact: http://www.sun-sentinel.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1326 Author: Maureen Flori PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IS DEADLY I read with interest "Prescription drug fraud costs lives," by Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne (March 10). I lost my brilliant 25-year-old son, Drew Parkinson, last Easter Sunday to prescribed drugs. On Jan. 22, the Office of Drug Control held its summit meeting in Tallahassee. I gave testimony there of my son's tragic story. I am publicly speaking about this loss because our story needs to be told. We are losing our young people at alarming rates. These drugs are so powerful and the combinations are taking our sons' and daughters' last breaths all too frequently today. I am urging all parents to talk to your teenagers and young adults about the dangers of these drugs. It might seem like fun at first, but if you become addicted, the fun ends there. It no longer will be your choice to take these drugs. Your only mission each day will be buying these drugs for you to survive. You will have legal, financial and family problems, big time. You will be depressed beyond belief. When these young people die, they have found their everlasting peace. The surviving families will face the most difficult kind of grief, the most painful and longest of its kind. We need to be sure that we keep funding in place for the detox and rehab centers. The Broward Addiction Recovery Center performs an outstanding service to our community. Dr. Scott Howell and his staff are the most dedicated professionals in the field of addiction that I have ever come across. The Memorial Share Program also has been there for my deceased son. During this sad year, I have also met with Mr. Fred Schulte, investigative reporter. He deserves a literary award for his fine work. His personal involvement has been an inspiration for me to continue speaking out. I have also had the opportunity to be in contact with Detective Lisa McElhaney since 1997. I finally met her in person in Tallahassee in January. The Broward Sheriff's Office should be very proud to have her on staff. Let's get this prescription data base passed this year. We need to do something. I had to attend another funeral recently for another 25-year-old young man. May he rest in peace. His family will never be the same again, that I can assure you all. MAUREEN FLORI Davie - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)