Kirk announces bipartisan effort to combat ‘pill mills’

Calling it a “sensitive subject” that “Congress should address,” U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says he is teaming up with a West Virginia Democrat to introduce legislation aimed at combating prescription drug abuse.

The legislation, announced Wednesday to coincide with National Red Ribbon Week for drug prevention, would crack down on doctors, clinics and pharmacies that prescribe or dispense prescription narcotics inappropriately or for nonmedical reasons. The proposed law would reclassify hydrocodone-combination drugs prone to abuse, such as Vicodin.

It would also double the prison sentence and triple the fines for illegal distribution of controlled substances.

“That’s pretty tough,” Kirk said. “I will say doctors are people, and some of them can go over to the ‘dark side’ in a clinic.”

The fine money collected would be used to fund drug treatment programs and state databases that collect information on the dispensing of prescription drugs, Kirk said.

On hand for the announcement in Chicago were David and Gail Katz, Highland Park residents who lost their son Daniel to prescription drug abuse in 2007 at the age of 25.

Daniel obtained OxyContin from a patient of a North Shore physician who had been inappropriately prescribing controlled substances to multiple patients, the Katzes said. The doctor, Gerald Kane, later pleaded guilty to reckless conduct and was sentenced to probation and later lost his medical license.

“It has shattered our lives,” David Katz said of his son’s death.

Following their son’s death, the Katzes founded the Save a Star Drug Awareness Foundation,

Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder, a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, also appeared with Kirk at the announcement. She said prescription drug abuse is an issue she’s become very concerned about as it keeps growing more pervasive.

“When I talk to Realtors, they’re concerned with families who view homes, when a person goes in the bathroom, are they opening a medicine cabinet to see what’s in here?” Mulder said.

Kirk said he and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin decided to team up on the legislation during one of their weekly Thursday lunch sessions. They are among only a few members of the Senate to cross the aisle and dine with one another on a regular basis.

Kirk says he gives Manchin the “credit” for much of the writing of the legislation.