Heroin, meth top killers in 2008

Of the 171,800 deaths in Florida last year, more than 8,000 individuals were found to have died with one or more drugs in their bodies, according to a report released by Florida Medical Examiners and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The most frequently occurring drugs found in the bodies were Ethyl Alcohol, Benzoidiazepines, Cocaine and Oxycodone. The drugs that caused the most deaths included Oxycodone, Benzoidiazepines, Methodone and Cocaine.

The three drugs that were the most lethal and caused more than half of the deaths were caused where Heroin, Methadone and Oxycodone were present.

“The 2008 report reflects the threat and danger of prescription drug abuse,” FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey said.

The Director of the Office of Drug Control said new legislation signed by Governor Charlie Crist will help reduce drug related deaths. The legislation aims at improving standards of car, implementing a prescription drug monitoring program, regulating pain clinics and help preventing doctor shopping.

>Click here to read a copy of the Florida Medical Examiners Commission 2008 Report of Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons