TAMPA – Formerly a drug used only to treat heroin addiction, methadone is becoming more popular in recent years to treat pain. As the use of the drug increases, so too do the deaths at an "alarming rate," according the National Drug Intelligence Center. Florida has become one of the leading states for methadone overdose deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control. ...more

February 8, 2008

Athletes aren't the only ones struggling with addiction and abuse of prescription drugs. The illegal sale of prescription drugs now constitutes the fastest-growing segment of the illicit drug market in Florida, authorities say. Increased use has resulted in more emergency room visits and deaths. Here are the numbers: ...more

December 30, 2007

Athletes aren't the only ones struggling with addiction and abuse of prescription drugs. The illegal sale of prescription drugs now constitutes the fastest-growing segment of the illicit drug market in Florida, authorities say. Increased use has resulted in more emergency room visits and deaths. Here are the numbers: ...more

December 28, 2007

A man described as a "classic drug dealer" was sentenced to 20 years in prison during court proceedings Thursday. ...more

December 7, 2007

The rate of drug users who fatally overdose on methadone, a prescription that curbs heroin addiction, is skyrocketing at an alarming pace, a new Justice Department study shows. ...more

December 6, 2007

PORT RICHEY - There were no ribbon-cutting ceremonies, no politicians, no balloons festooning the facade of the small office building halfway down Washington Street. ...more

November 5, 2007

There was no ribbon-cutting, no politicians, no balloons festooning the facade of the small office building halfway down Washington Street. ...more

November 3, 2007

Brandon Erwin and Andrew Culver traveled together in the glitzy drug world, and both eventually wanted out. ...more

October 18, 2007

TAMPA Brandon Erwin and Andrew Culver traveled together in the glitzy drug world, and both eventually wanted out. ...more

October 17, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - The man at the wheel of a city bus that lurched out of control last month before crashing into a strip mall was arrested today, police said. Travis Merriex, 37, was fired from the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority after the Sept. 12 wreck. As he was leaving a grievance hearing, he was arrested, said St. Petersburg police spokesman William Proffitt. ...more

October 10, 2007