Fatalities caused by prescription drug abuse are quickly rising in Florida.A new report from the state’s medical examiners shows deaths from the prescription painkiller oxycodone jumped 26 percent in 2009 from the previous year.

Florida is a leading source for the illicit purchase of prescription drugs, with addicts and dealers from across the Southeast flocking to pain clinics.

Prescription drugs continued to outpace illegal drugs as a cause of death last year, accounting for almost 2,500 fatalities. Drug control officials say the vast majority are accidental overdoses.

The state is launching a database to track painkiller sales, which lawmakers hope will prevent the same patient from receiving narcotics from multiple doctors.