Last year, the Legislature reclassified certain mixtures of the pain killer hydrocodone to give prosecutors more leeway to go after traffickers. But before it took effect, the medical community pleaded with state officials that it would burden legitimate pain killer users. They said some patients would have to make extra doctor visits to get written prescription for refills instead of getting them over the phone, even though many were homebound by their illnesses or age. Attorney General Bob Butterworth adopted an emergency rule on the reclassification of hydrocodone - keeping the change from ever taking effect. The Senate had already passed it so it now goes to the desk of Gov. Jeb Bush.
Police say hydrocodone has become one of their biggest problems in the fight against drug abuse.
It's the key ingredient in the common pain killer Vicodin. Guards say that's a disgusting reality of prison life. One way inmates take out their anger is by throwing urine, blood or other excrement on passing guards, who say they need protection from such assaults because of the risk of disease. It had passed the Senate earlier so it now goes to the desk of Gov. Jeb Bush. If it becomes law, the measure would give corrections officers an added weapon against prisoners who might throw bodily fluids at them because if they are convicted of a felony it would likely lengthen their prison term.