Delray OKs drug dispensing ban

DELRAY BEACH — Delray Beach city commissioners are just saying no to pain management clinics.

At least those that dispense narcotics.

Commissioners Tuesday approved first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit doctors’ offices from dispensing large quantities of drugs to their patients on the premises. The ordinance is an attempt to stop pain management clinics, where doctors diagnose patients’ problems and give them the drugs at the same time, as opposed to giving them a prescription to be filled elsewhere.

Two clinics already operate in Delray, but they would be exempt from the new law.

Pain management clinics have sprouted up throughout South Florida, and officials say they’re an increasing source of illegal drugs.

“You see all these out of state license plates,” Commissioner Adam Frankel said. “They see a doctor for five minutes, and he gives them a hundred pills. They hit three or four or five of theses places, and there’s no reporting.

“It’s a serious problem. Street level drugs aren’t the problem any more. It’s prescriptions.”

The ordinance would allow doctors to dispense small amounts of drugs for emergencies or give away samples to their patients.

City Attorney Brian Shutt said the ordinance is modeled after one enacted in Dania Beach. And while any ordinance can be challenged in court, he was confident the ban would survive judicial review.

The ordinance is set for final reading on October 20.

 

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