Dee Morva of Hudson was appalled by story in a letter to the area of a woman panhandling in the Hudson area asking a woman for more money so she would have enough to buy the narcotic Vicodin. ...more

March 7, 2009

Police seized $145,000 worth of methamphetamine on Wednesday after a brief pursuit and foot chase. ...more

March 5, 2009

Frances DiPietro of New Port Richey has second thoughts about giving money to street people after being asked: "Do you have any more? I almost have enough to buy six hits of Vicodin." ...more

February 28, 2009

Deputies say a nurse was arrested for leaving elderly patients alone after an 88-year-old was injured. Pinellas County deputies say 60-year-old Epifania V. Fitzgerald put one of the patients at an assisted living facility in charge and left. When she returned 2 1/2 hours later, authorities were there. ...more

November 2, 2008

A caregiver was arrested late Friday after she left an assisted-living facility unattended and an elderly woman was injured. ...more

November 1, 2008

Regarding "Report: Ex-Buc Used Cocaine Before Death" (Metro, May 29): Another tragic overdose has been reported with "a narcotic pain reliever and cocaine." Let's teach your readers how this happens. ...more

June 1, 2008

Most Americans are too busy in their daily lives to face the obvious: we are a society dependent on drugs. ...more

January 16, 2008

OXYCONTIN The strong narcotic pain reliever is similar to morphine and is designed to treat moderate to severe pain expected to last for a long time. It should be used on a regular schedule as prescribed by a doctor, not on an as-needed basis. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, constipation, mild itching, drowsiness, dry mouth, lightheadedness, loss of appetite and weakness. ...more

December 30, 2007

A player takes "eight or nine" Vicodin at a time. Another plays on a team with a doctor nicknamed Needles. In a special report Sunday and Monday, Joe Henderson reveals how NFL players count on painkillers - and quickly get addicted. ...more

December 29, 2007

Doctors are seeing large increases in the number of current and former football players either addicted to or physically dependent on painkillers. ...more

December 28, 2007