DEA Crackdowns on Prescription Drug Abuse

COLUMBUS (WCBI)-  Federal agents say they have carried out raids at medical clinics and pharmacies in four Southern states as part of a crackdown intended to help people addicted to prescription drugs.

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration raided facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi on Wednesday. They said over 16 months, 280 people have been arrested under the “Operation Pilluted” including 22 doctors and pharmacists.

The Crackdown targeted illegal sales of painkillers, including Oxycodone and hydrocodone.

DEA Special-Agent-In-Charge Keith Brown said the medical professionals arrested had forgotten their pledge to “do no harm.”

DEA data shows Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana were among the top 11 states for prescribing hydrocodone in 2014.