Doctors fight back against pill mills; statewide campaign aimed at getting people off narcotics

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla - Dr. Sanford Silverman has dedicated his entire medical career to helping people live with chronic pain.

He's disgusted by the criminal physicians who continue to prescribe pain meds without any knowledge of how they work just  to make a quick buck.

"Of the top 50 pill mills, 49 are in Florida," Silverman said. "It's been a terrible blight for Florida and for medicine and for pain management."

Silverman, along with dozens of other pain physicians across the state, have initiated a public awareness campaign called "The Pain Truth." through a series of public service announcements and doctor patient seminars, Silverman and his colleagues hope to educate patients that there are alternatives to narcotics.

 "There are 100's of remedies to treat pain that don't involve substances at all," Silverman said.

Silverman's patient ,"TJ," says he owes his life to his doctor. He came to Silverman five years ago addicted to the narcotic Vicadin, which he initially began taking for a slipped disk.

Today, he says he is healthy and completely off the pain meds.

 "I feel fabulous actually and I don't even think about it anymore," T.J. said. " My pain is very small right now."

Silverman's remedy differs among patients, but he says there are several new non-addicting drugs on the market.  He says he sometimes recommends steroids and says it can take time to develop a life plan of health for his patients, something he says you won't get in the pill mills.