San Diego Reader

Move over medical marijuana, Federal Attorney Laura Duffy has a new mission in her crusade to end drug-use in the region. Now, the US Attorney for Southern California has her sight set on local pharmacies that are distributing prescription drugs illegally.

Duffy is focusing on pharmacies in Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and Carmel Valley, affluent coastal areas where prescription drug abuse is rampant.

There are already twenty pharmacies now under investigation. And, much like her war on medical marijuana dispensaries, Duffy is not only targeting the pharmacies but she is also sending warning letters to property-owners who lease their land to them, a practice that is known as "asset forfeiture proceedings."

In her fight to "end access to medical marijuana in San Diego," the Southern District of California confiscated $29.7 million in property through asset forfeiture.

The new war on pill-pushing pharmacists is the first of its kind in the country. If successful, Duffy hopes to implement similar policies on a national level.

“These pharmacies are not only about providing medicine to the sick," said Duffy. "They are part of a pervasive for-profit industry that facilitates the distribution of drugs for illegitimate use. Doctors are prescribing unneeded medication; kids are overdosing on aspirin; police are finding pill bottles at junior high schools.

These pharmacies have provided not just medication - prescription and otherwise - but all the serious repercussions that come with it, including significant public safety issues and often irreparable harm to our youth."

The US Attorney says a tough stance is needed in tough times.

“Prosecutorial discretion means I decide how and when to enforce laws. Although this action is unprecedented, in my judgment it’s necessary to ensure we continue making progress in the war on drugs. Economic decline, climate threats, cybercrime, illegal immigration, and a general loss of faith in the political process have colored these drastic times. Now is the time to get tough in a fiscally responsible way."