EFFORTS TO STOP ILLEGAL SALE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES SHOW SUCCESS

A task force in Los Angeles is cracking down on illegal sales of prescription drugs in immigrant communities.  The Health Authority Law Enforcement Task Force was formed two years ago after an 18-month-old child died following an injection given by an unlicensed person.  So far it has conducted almost 200 raids on businesses selling prescription drugs.  It has seized about million worth of drugs, and has put a significant dent in the availability of unlicensed prescription drug vendors.

Along with the crackdown on illegally sold prescription drugs, there are also programs designed to encourage immigrants to seek medical care from legitimate sources.  The Safe Healthcare Coalition, which was also formed in response to deaths caused by illegally provided prescription drugs, works with both immigrants and health care professionals. 

Since the two programs have started, there have been no known deaths that can be blamed on illegally procured prescription drugs.  However, the programs face many formidable challenges.  Many immigrants come from countries where prescription drug regulations are not as strict as the US, and self-medication is a common practice.  Also, health care is expensive, and for many immigrants who lack insurance, buying a drug seems less costly than going to a doctor.  This is where efforts to educate immigrants about the availability of low cost health clinics have been particularly successful.