FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - An inspector general's investigation has found mismanagement of powerful prescription drugs at the Broward County medical examiner's office. Thousands of pills are missing.
    
The report released Monday says at least 3,600 pills are unaccounted for including the painkillers oxycodone and hydrocodone. Investigators say some may have reached addicts on the illicit market.
    
The inspector general found that prescription pills weren't properly catalogued and destroyed. Much of the blame is placed on a former medical examiner's investigator who since been fired.
    
The former Broward medical examiner, Dr. Joshua Perper, says in a written response that he is disappointed and dismayed by the findings. Perper says closer attention should have been paid to the issue.
    
The report says steps are being taken by county officials to fix the problems.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)