Jeb Bush Campaign Press Release - Jeb's Commitment to Substance Abuse Prevention

In 1999, Governor Jeb Bush established the Florida Office of Drug Control within the Governor's office, ensuring the state's efforts were coordinated and prioritized. Columba Bush subsequently became the spokesperson for substance abuse prevention in Florida, and today remains a national advocate for promoting substance abuse prevention, treatment and awareness.

Throughout his administration, Governor Bush remained committed to decreasing drug use, reducing recidivism, expanding the Florida drug court system, expanding drug abuse treatment and raising awareness of this tragic issue.

Florida Record:

Decreased drug use among Florida youth: The Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, which was given for the first time in 1999, shows drug usage decreased across the board between 2000 and 2006:

Reduced recidivism by tripling the number of drug courts: Florida has been a pioneer with respect to drug courts, specialized courts that are proven to reduce recidivism by addressing low-level drug crimes through monitored treatment and testing rather than incarceration. Governor Bush tripled the number of drug courts in Florida, deeply integrating them into Florida's criminal justice system.

Increased successful treatment of drug abusers including increases in:

• The percentage of adults and children completing treatment by 20% and 16%, respectively
• The percentage of adults that were employed after discharge from treatment by 27%
• The percentage of adults and children that remained drug-free following completion of treatment by 31% and 21%, respectively

Supported major legislation curbing the drug market:

• In 2001, a seaport law established security standards for Florida ports to help prevent drug smuggling, addressing the predominant means of importing illegal drugs into Florida.
• In 2002, a prescription drug law made it a felony for a physician to fraudulently prescribe the widely abused drug carisoprodol (brand name Soma).
• In 2003, a security bill required Florida to adopt a uniform access badge for all seaports, further suppressing smuggling.
• In 2003, a law made the theft of anhydrous ammonia, an ingredient in the production of methamphetamine, a felony.
• In 2004, a law required special permits for pharmacies operating over the internet.
• In 2005, a law limited the amount of pseudoephedrine an individual can purchase and required pseudoephedrine products sold in stores to be placed behind the counter.

Conducted major multi-jurisdictional operations disrupting drug dealer networks:

• Heat Rave (1999): targeted 57 nightclubs resulting in 1219 arrests, seizures of nearly 130,000 doses of club drugs, 15 kilos of cocaine and 500 lbs of marijuana
• River Walk (2001-2003): severely disrupted drug trafficking organizations' efforts to use the Miami River to move drugs into South Florida
• Sudden Storm (2002): multi-agency operation focused on highway safety and contraband interdiction along North Florida roadways, resulting in seizure of over 100 lbs of marijuana, 7.5 lbs of cocaine, 53 grams of crack cocaine, 10 marijuana plants and $127,751 in currency
• Southern Sweep (2002): multi-state operation resulting in seizure of $236,286 in miscellaneous drugs and 101 arrests

Governor Bush and First Lady Columba Bush collaborated extensively with national drug control and abuse organizations to promote prevention initiatives:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (Mrs. Bush is currently a member of the Center's Board)
• The National Center on Addiction and Alcohol Abuse
• Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

Governor Bush and First Lady Columba Bush coordinated statewide efforts through annual meetings including:

• Substance Abuse Prevention Conference: brought together over 1000 leaders in prevention to discuss prevention best practices, current research and the state strategy
• Florida Drug Summit: brought together the state's drug warriors for networking, planning and coordination, making statewide enforcement efforts more organized and effective

Formed temporary, results-oriented organizations to achieve specific goals:

• Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force (2004)
  
  -Under Governor Bush's leadership, Florida launched a Prescription Drug Task Force to address the issues of illicit diversion of prescription drugs, Medicaid fraud and illegal adulteration and dispensing. Florida expanded training to relevant personnel on prescription drug abuse and increased investigations into doctors suspected of aiding such abuse.
• Medicare Infusion Fraud Task Force (2005)
• Commission for Reducing Underage Drinking (2006)