Florida Prescription Database Goes Online
October 17, 2011
After years of debate about privacy issues and deadly drug use, Florida doctors and pharmacists started tapping into a state database Monday to check out patients’ prescription histories.
The database is aimed at curbing prescription-drug abuse and “doctor shopping” — addicts going from doctor to doctor to try to score prescriptions for powerful painkillers such as OxyContin.
Sen. Mike Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican who was a key player in getting the database approved, said he views it as the most-important part of the state’s effort to fight prescription drug abuse. He said it will save lives.
“It’s a long time coming,” Fasano said Friday. “It’s a database that was needed many years ago.”
Doctors and pharmacists are not required to get information from the database, but Fasano said he will propose legislation next year to make it mandatory.
Two of the state’s most-influential physician groups, the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, have encouraged their members to take part.
In a recent message to his members, Florida Osteopathic Medical Association President Jeffrey Grove wrote that they would “be able to query the database for any indication a patient is engaging in the practice of doctor shopping for the expressed purpose of accumulating prescription drugs for illicit reasons. There is no requirement to query the database prior to writing a prescription, but the FOMA strongly encourages you to do so.”
Tad Fisher, executive vice president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians, said the database could be valuable when doctors do not know patients, such as “walk-in” patients at physicians’ offices or urgent-care centers.
“The conversation has always been that a database could be very helpful for patients that you don’t have any history on at all,” Fisher said.
Lawmakers approved creating the database in 2009, but it has long faced controversy because of concerns about patient privacy.
Gov. Rick Scott and House Republican leaders this year raised the possibility of scrapping the database, but that idea ultimately died, at least in part, because of opposition from Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island.
Florida has received a reputation in recent years as a magnet for prescription-drug abusers and traffickers from as far away as Ohio and Kentucky. Unscrupulous storefront pain clinics in Broward, Palm Beach and other counties became notorious for prescribing — and in many cases dispensing — painkillers.
Lawmakers have passed a series of laws to try to crack down on the problems. For example, a law this year barred many doctors from dispensing dangerous controlled substances in their offices, forcing patients to take prescriptions to pharmacies.
Along with facing political opposition, the start of the database was hamstrung by a bid dispute among contractors.
But pharmacies and dispensing physicians in September began loading prescription records into the database. They are required to report information to the database within seven days of dispensing drugs such as OxyContin, Xanax and Valium.
Pharmacies and doctors have already put more than 15 million controlled-substance prescription records into the database, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Doctors and pharmacists who use the system will receive reports that show patient prescription histories, helping them detect possible abuse.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Joey Dewayne Kelley
October 17, 2011
Joey Dewayne Kelley, 50, died October 11, 2011. He was a native of Brewton and later moved to Atmore.
He owned several business including the Strand Theater, Joey’s Furniture, Kelley’s Ambulance Service, Whistle Stop Grill, Advance Printing Company, a construction business and other ventures.
He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Sylvester Kelley; his mother, Mary Aline Johnson; and a brother, Tom Johnson.
He is survived by three sons, Chad Wayne (Evelyn) Kelley of Winchester, CA, Christopher Adam Kelley of Atmore, Austin Suede Dakota “Cody” Mooney of Pensacola; three daughters, Jennifer Necole Daw, Chasity Kelley (David) Daniel, and Tiffany Denise Davis, all of Atmore; four grandchildren, Damon, Beau, Crimson and Aidan; his fiancé, Robin Cofield; one sister, Francis Hildreth of Andalusia; three brothers, Ed Gibson and Carl Kelley, both of Andalusia and Albert Kelley of Atmore.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 19 at 1 p.m. at the Strand Theatre on South Main Street in Atmore. The family requests that donations be made to a memorial fund in honor of Joey Kelley at United Bank in lieu of flowers.
Petty Funeral Homes Eastside Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
District Battles Heating Up
October 17, 2011
There are two big district battles brewing for Friday night as we head into week 8 of the Florida high school football season.
The top of District 1-6A will come down to Friday night’s matchup between Pensacola High (5-1, 3-0) and Pace (5-2, 3-1). Meanwhile, the only North Escambia area team in the district is out of the title hunt for sure, with Tate winless at 0-7, 0-4.
Northview (3-2, 1-0) and Freeport (5-1, 1-0) both had last Friday night off as they prepare to face off against each other this Friday night in Bratt for the top spot in District1-1A.
Meanwhile, West Florida High School remains at the top of District 1-5A with a (6-0,2-0) record. Short of a a major upset, the WFHS best-ever season will continue Friday night as the Jaguars travel Rutherford (1-4, 0-1), the worst team in the district standings.
Lows In The 30’s Possible This Week
October 17, 2011
A strong cold front will move through the are on Tuesday, bringing much lower temperatures — perhaps even a few 30’s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a northwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. West wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 41.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
- Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 46.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Bee Workshop Scheduled
October 17, 2011
Escambia County Extension and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) will present a series of classes called Beekeeping in the Panhandle. The classes cover a variety of beekeeping topics including types of honey bees, pollen collection and how to split hives. These classes will be offered by interactive video at the Escambia County Extension Office located at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment and held from 6-8 p.m. on the scheduled dates.
Eight sessions are as follows:
- Monday, Nov. 21: Introduction to Bees
- Monday, Nov. 28 : Introduction to Beekeeping and Beekeeping Equipment
- Monday, Dec. 5: Bee Management
- Monday, Dec. 12: Pests and Diseases
- Monday, Jan. 9: Honey Plants and Pollination Ecology
- Monday, Jan. 16: Products of the Hive
- Monday, Jan. 23: Splitting Hives, Increasing Hive Numbers and Pollination
- Monday, Jan. 30: Others Topics in Beekeeping
Along with the registration form, a $50 fee per person and $25 for each additional person, covers the cost of the class and materials. You can mail the registration to the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533. Registration and payments are due by November 16.
A Beekeeping Tradeshow is also being held at the Washington County Extension Office located at 1424 Jackson Ave. in Chipley on December 10 at 10 a.m. Preregistration is at 9 a.m. the day of the event. This free tradeshow consists of hands-on demonstrations, exhibits and more.
For more information, or to register, please contact Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Agriculture Extension Agent, at 475-5230, or libbiej@ufl.edu.
Ransom FFA Members Place In District Forestry Field Day
October 17, 2011
For the first time in Ransom Middle School FFA history, four students recently participated in the District 1 Forestry Competition at Bear Lake Blackwater State Forest. Ransom’s FFA placed third overall , with Austin Murphy placing second in Map Interpretation and Johnnie Johnson placing second in Forest Disorder Identification.
The event was designed to stimulate student interest in forestry, to promote forestry instruction in the agricultural education curriculum, and to provide recognition for those students who have demonstrated skill and competency as a result of forestry instruction. Each participant was an active member of a chartered Florida FFA Chapter and enrolled in sixth, seventh or eighth grade. All teams consisted of four members and all members of the team participated in all six events.
Along with FFA Advisor, Dawn Inman, eighth grade students, Cole Halfacre, Paul Guy, Austin Murphy, and Johnnie Johnson competed in this event. The events covered this year were General Knowledge, Dendrology, Forest Disorders, Equipment Identification, Timber Cruising, and Map Interpretation.
Two employees from International Paper, Jack Williams and John Brown, assisted the students with preparing for this competition.
Pictured top: Ransom Middle School FFA members Austin Murphy (left) placed second in Map Interpretation and Johnnie Johnson (right) placed second in Forest Disorder Identification at the recent District 1 Forestry Competition. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office Clean Sweep Today In Century
October 17, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and several other agencies will conduct an “Operation Clean Sweep” in Century on Monday.
The cleanup will focus on the area on East Pond Street, Jefferson Avenue and Ramar Street beginning at 8 a.m. The operation will expand primarily in the area bounded by East Pond Street to the south, North Century Boulevard to the west, Cottage Street to the north, and Jefferson Avenue and Old Flomaton Road to the west.
The Operation Task Force will work closely with Escambia County Animal Control, Environmental Law Enforcement, the United States military and Escambia County Roads and Bridges to clean up neighborhoods of criminals and trash, while educating citizens on preventive measures to minimize crime.
The goal of the program is to to clean up neighborhoods and educate citizens on preventive measures that could be implemented to minimize possible crimes.
Pictured top and below: A “Clean Sweep” was held last March in Cottage Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Tire Fire Creates Large Smoke Plume
October 16, 2011
A large plume of smoke could be seen across part of North Escambia Sunday afternoon from a fire near Enon. A large pile of tires was found to be burning in the 10000 block of Highway 97A near South Highway 99. The Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, along with the Florida Division of Forestry and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the fire.
Pictured above: Smoke from an Enon tire fire could be seen from Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, about 10 miles away. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Copper Thief Strikes Community Center
October 16, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a copper thief hit the Davisville Community Center on Highway 97.
Community center managers discovered Saturday that both of the central air conditioning units at the facility had been destroyed by a thief and that stripped out copper coils. The theft reportedly happened sometime during the last week.
The incident is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. A crime scene technician responded to the scene Saturday, dusting for fingerprints and collecting evidence.
Early estimates are that the theft could cost the county from $4,000 to 5,000 in damage and replacement costs.
In July, a copper thief struck at the Byrneville Community Center, removing the copper coils from one of three air units located just feet from the community center’s playground. That theft cost Escambia County taxpayers $2,345. There were no arrests reported in that case.
Anyone with information about the theft should contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician looks for fingerprints on a destroyed air conditioning unit at the Davisville Community Center Saturday morning. Pictured inset and below: Two units were dismantled and stripped of copper coils. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash Blamed On Deer
October 16, 2011
A driver told authorities she ran off the road after hitting or almost hitting a deer early Sunday morning on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
The accident happened just north of Howell Road about 3:15 a.m. After reportedly seeing the deer in the road, the woman ran off the road into a ditch, struck a pecan tree and overturned. The female driver and a male passenger were transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The names of those involved have not yet been released. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
The accident was the second of the weekend in North Escambia blamed on deer. For details on a Saturday night crash on Highway 29 north of Molino, click here.
Pictured above and below: Two people were injured in this crash after reportedly avoiding deer on Highway 97 early Sunday morning. Pictured inset: The vehicle struck this pecan tree before overturning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
