“Pill Mills” Targeted by State Health & Law Enforcement

South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control is teaming up with the State Law Enforcement Division to combat “pill mills” in South Carolina. In a collaborative effort,  DHEC will proactively assist law enforcement efforts by providing lists of individuals as well as assign a drug officer to help SLED and the county sheriff’s offices statewide to make cases. In addition, beginning in January 2014, DHEC will require pharmacies to report their prescription drug distribution at the end of each business day. SLED Chief Mark Keel says the abuse of prescription drugs affects every community in the state, and it is important physicians, pharmacists, DHEC, SLED, and citizens must be educated about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.