Crime & Safety
Pill Mill Efforts Result in Award for Sarasota Sheriff
"I didn't know they gave an award for doing your job," said Sheriff Tom Knight, who was honored for his work to put an end to misuse of pain management clinics and reduce crime.
This story was reported and written by Sarasota Patch Local Editor Merab Favorite.
When Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight received the 2013 County Partner Award from the Florida Association of Counties on July 8, he was shocked.
“I didn’t know they gave an award for doing your job,” Knight said. “But in my eyes it was the most prestigious award I’ve ever received.”
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Knight’s efforts to create a county ordinance that would put an end to misuse of pain management clinics, or “pill mills,” in Sarasota earned him the award. The honor is presented to a local leader who demonstrates support and understanding of county issues during the legislative session.
Knight, along with Sarasota County Commissioners, created the ordinance in June of 2010. Since then, Sarasota County has seen a “huge decrease” in crime, according to Knight.
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Knight said crime dropped more than 16 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, and major crimes decreased nearly 18 percent.
“Crime prevention isn’t just locking your doors and latching your windows,” he said. “It’s looking at the trend and identifying what is creating it.”
The ordinance was used as a model for other counties, including Pinellas, Manatee and Charlotte. Knight also traveled to Tallahassee on at least three occasions to offer input on “pill mill” bills introduced in the House and Senate as well as support the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
“Sheriff Knight was a great county partner in helping to increase public safety as counties try to stop prescription drug abuse,” said FAC Executive Director Chris Holley in a press release. “Prescription drug abuse is a life and death issue and Sheriff Knight stood up to protect local authority and help our communities save lives.”
Since the ordinance was passed, Knight said the street price of select pain pills has gone from $7 a pill to $28 a pill.
But the fight against crime is not over. Despite the fact that opiates, like Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, have become less widespread, Knight anticipates an increase in heroin and methamphetamine usage.
“Illegal drugs are much easier for us to crack down on,” he said. “Because they are totally prohibited, there is no reason for people to have them.”
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