Florida Lawmakers Hear Grim Picture Of Opiod Epidemic
October 11, 2017
Facing what one expert called “chemical warfare,” a key Senate panel Tuesday began tackling the opioid crisis that has engulfed the nation and state, ripped families apart and created a public health crisis bound to get worse.
The Senate Health Policy Committee heard from a panel of experts — including emergency doctors, treatment providers, law enforcement officials and insurance company executives — who laid out a litany of woes detailing the severity and complexity of the opioid epidemic, which prompted Gov. Rick Scott to declare a public emergency.
Testimony from the experts made a chilling impression on the committee.
Abuse of prescription painkillers along with fake street pills and street drugs such as heroin and the synthetic opioid fentanyl — and the deaths associated with the drugs — has skyrocketed since lawmakers cracked down on “pill mills” six years ago.
There aren’t enough treatment beds. Access to medically assisted treatment — where addicts receive drugs and other services, such as cognitive behavioral therapy — is limited. A stigma associated with addiction keeps many users in the shadows. The system is disjointed, making it difficult for addicts and their families to navigate.
And nearly all the entities involved — physicians, treatment providers and sheriffs and police departments — are struggling to make do with scarce resources as the number of addicts continues to skyrocket.
“Currently, it’s much easier to get high than it is to get help in Florida,” Aaron Wohl, an emergency room physician from Lee County, said.
Scott has said he will ask lawmakers in 2018 to spend $50 million on programs such as substance-abuse treatment, counseling and recovery. He also is proposing a three-day limit on new prescriptions for opioids, though the prescriptions could be up to seven days under some conditions.
But the prescription-drug limits are mainly a “feel-good” measure that won’t address the larger problem of addiction and access to street drugs, such as heroin and fentanyl, experts agreed.
“To focus on the flow of medications and creating new persons with addiction is certainly one issue that’s important and we want to help with that, but to ignore those persons that are actually addicted currently, and the medications that they’re overdosing on, being heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl, then we’re missing the point,” Wohl told reporters after Tuesday’s meeting.
An interim report by the state’s medical examiners covering the first six months of 2016 showed a 13.9 percent increase in drug-related deaths, compared to the first half of the previous year.
Fentanyl was the top killer, followed by benzodiazepines, morphine and heroin, according to the report. Deaths caused by fentanyl increased by nearly 140 percent, and accidental deaths from heroin overdoses jumped by 25 percent, compared to the same six-month period in 2015.
The situation is even more dire than the report suggests, as medical examiners struggle to keep pace as demands for autopsies skyrocket because of overdoses.
“Scrap your numbers. They’re meaningless because they are so under-quoted,” said Raymond Pomm, a doctor with more than 30 years of experience in the substance-abuse field who now serves as the medical director of Gateway Community Services in Jacksonville. “I’m sorry to say whatever numbers you have, they’re far, far worse. Never have we ever seen anything like this.”
Medical examiners in the Jacksonville area have asked Pomm’s agency to provide naloxone, also known as Narcan, a prescription medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. The coroners want access to the treatment because of their exposure to fentanyl. Even miniscule amounts of the synthetic opioid, often mixed with heroin, can be deadly when inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
“It’s more than an epidemic. It’s become chemical warfare,” Pomm said. “It’s become a gnarly system that’s entwining every aspect of our society.”
Making matters worse, users can purchase fentanyl on the internet, Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood told the committee.
Correcting the “legal” side of opioid abuse is only part of the problem, said Kenneth Scheppke, medical director for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and a medical director for emergency medical services in Broward County.
“If we don’t address the treatment side, the addicts will turn to a different source. They will turn to street drugs,” he said.
While the use of naloxone is rapidly increasing, reviving patients who’ve overdosed — some of whom receive more than one dose of the drug in a single day — does nothing to cure the problem.
Palm Beach County has launched a pilot program in which emergency-room patients who’ve overdosed on opioids are connected while in the hospital with a detox program, using the drug buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone, that reduces cravings and eases withdrawal symptoms without getting patients high.
Patients in the program also receive behavioral counseling, which experts agree is a critical part of treating addiction, in combination with medications like Suboxone.
The pilot program, with 50 participants, has a 76 percent success rate, according to Scheppke.
The program is a stark contrast to the “revolving door” encountered by most users.
Patients overdose, are saved by Narcan and sent to the emergency room, where they are released to go home and relapse again.
“Nothing’s really done,” Scheppke said. “What we have basically is the patients treating themselves as best as they can.”
Monday’s testimony struck a chord with Senate Health Policy Chairwoman Dana Young, who made an impassioned pledge at the close of the 2½- hour meeting.
“You said it was easier to get high than to get treatment. That needs to stop. That needs to stop today. And it is within our power as a legislature to make that happen. While it can be exhausting and frustrating to deal with this issue, I will tell you that we are not exhausted, as a committee, as a Senate, as a legislature. We are determined to tackle this problem any way we can,” Young, R-Tampa said.
Young told reporters she was impressed by Scheppke’s pilot program and that it was “abundantly clear” that the Legislature needs to fund medically assisted treatment programs statewide.
“I have no idea how much that’s going to cost, but we need to figure it out, and we need to find the money to do it,” she said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Century Sends ‘Entertainment Survey’ To Utility Customers
October 11, 2017
Town of Century utility customers received an “Entertainment Survey” with their utility bills this month, with little explanation as to why.
The survey asked respondents what type of event they would support, best day of the week, preferred type of music and for any requested group.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said he would simply “like to bring some good entertainment to town”.
“If other cities can do it, why can’t we provide something for our citizens?”, he said.
The survey is due back by October 15.
For a pdf of the survey, click here.
Changes Slated For State Worker Health Insurance
October 11, 2017
As many as 2,000 obese state employees who suffer from conditions such as diabetes or hypertension can enroll online for a program that provides coverage for treatment and management of obesity and related conditions.
The offering is one of a number of changes legislators authorized to the state group health-insurance plan during the 2017 session. Available to employees who were enrolled in Aetna, AvMed, Florida Blue or UnitedHealthcare plans in 2017, the benefit is available for 2018.
Tami Fillyaw, director of the Division of State Group Insurance in the Department of Management Services, appeared Tuesday before the House Health & Human Services Committee and the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee to update lawmakers on steps the department has taken to retool the health-insurance program, which, as of June 30, provided benefits to more than 367,000 state employees, spouses and dependents.
Fillyaw told lawmakers that the state inked a contract last week with the independent benefits consultant Foster & Foster to meet requirements of the bill approved during the 2017 session. Among other things the consultants will analyze the state group plan, compare its benefits to that of other large employers and submit a report to the Legislature by Dec. 1.
Foster & Foster also will assist the state as it moves forward with two new health-care offerings that will be made available in the 2019 plan year: an online tool to shop and compare the quality of available in-network providers; and a service that offers employees access to comprehensive pricing for surgery and other medical procedures.
Both of those benefits also will include a “shared savings program,” where employees can receive a portion of any savings attributable to their health-care choices.
Fillyaw said employees’ shared savings will be deposited into flexible savings accounts, health savings accounts or health reimbursement accounts (which would be a new benefit offering) or could be used for out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Fillyaw said the state has met with potential vendors interested in both initiatives and issued requests for information about the potential services. She said the state will issue invitations to negotiate in January and hopes to have signed agreements with vendors by April. “Ideally,” she said, the offerings can be in place for the 2019 benefit year.
As part of an overall budget agreement that included pay raises for state employees and changes to the Florida Retirement System, the Legislature during the 2017 session agreed to pass SB 7022, which directed the Department of Management Services to begin offering state employees a variety of health plans.
Currently, employees have access to HMO coverage, PPO coverage and a high-deductible health plan.
One of the biggest changes will take place in 2020 when the Department of Management Services offers access to four different levels of insurance: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. The plans will have different actuarial values — ranging from a high of 90 percent, meaning the policy will cover 90 percent of health-care costs — to a low of 60 percent.
The higher the actuarial value of the plan, the more it will cost. If an employee chooses a health plan that costs less than what the state contributes in premium, the employee can request that the difference be directed toward other benefits or to salary.
While the legislation was not touted as a cost-saving measure, expenses in the state group health insurance are a growing concern for lawmakers. State economists say the trust fund that pays the costs of the program will have a $357.3 million deficit by June 30, 2019.
Helping drive the costs increase, Fillyaw told lawmakers Tuesday, are prescription drugs.
Fillyaw said that regardless of the plan, all employees are enrolled in the state’s self-insured prescription drug program. Pharmacy costs for state employees are projected to be $693.1 million this year, a jump of more than $81 million from the previous year’s spending.
To help curb the costs, the Department of Management Services will ask the Legislature to consider changes to the pharmacy program.
“Prescription drug spend is the most unpredictable cost driver in our program,” Fillyaw told lawmakers, adding that there are formulary-management programs in 18 state-employee health insurance programs across the country.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
Driver Injured In Crash At Lake Stone Campground
October 10, 2017
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash at Lake Stone near Century Tuesday morning.
The driver of A Nissan Xterra was traveling on West Highway 4 when they ran off the roadway, ran through a wooden fence around the Lake Stone campground and struck a pine tree just inside the park.
Minor extrication was needed to free the driver from the vehicle. They were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with non -life threatening injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
County Cuts Direct Century Chamber Funding
October 10, 2017
Escambia County has signed off on an interlocal agreement with the the Town of Century that drastically changes how economic development dollars are allocated in Century,
During the previous fiscal year that ended September 30, the county provided a $55,000 allocation to the Century Area Chamber, up from $40,000 in previous years. That amounted to 97 percent of the chamber’s total funding and provided a $40,00o per year salary for an economic development coordinator, according to documents submitted by the chamber to the county.
With final budget approval, Escambia County has still allocated $55,000 in funding for economic development in the Century area, not just within town limits. Ideas and funding requests will be submitted by the Century Chamber of Commerce, the Century Town Council and any other group to District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. The requests will be heard by the entire commission for approval.
No more than 10 percent of the funds can be used for daily operational expenses, and none of the county money can be used for salaries, benefits or administrative costs.
Instead. the funds can be used to cover the costs associated with implementing economic development initiatives, and programs and services to attract and recruit new businesses to the area.
The Century Town Council must still approve the interlocal agreement.
Couple Seeks Return Of Stolen Cameras With Baby Videos
October 10, 2017
An Escambia County couple is hoping a thief will have a change of heart and return cameras — or at least memory cards — that contain irreplaceable family videos.
Sunday night or early Monday morning, someone stole both a Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera with a “stock” Canon 18-55mm lens (example above) and a Canon Vixia video camera from a vehicle on Chicago Avenue, not far from Pine Forest High School. Both cameras were in the same bag as their chargers.
The video camera contained videos taken since the birth of the couple’s youngest child.
“While we would love to catch whoever did it, we really would just love to have our memory cards back. We can replace the cameras, but we can’t replace my baby’s first Christmas, first birthday party, first steps,” the woman said. “I think the guy has no heart… but if he does, he can even just leave them on our sidewalk or porch if he wants.”
Anyone with additional information can also call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
October 10, 2017
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of October 9-13:
Tuesday, Oct. 10
TPO Technical Coordinating Committee – 8:30 a.m., 222 W. Main St. (Agenda)
TPO Citizens’ Advisory Committee – 10:30 a.m., 222 W. Main St. (Agenda)
CANCELED: Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St.
District 1 Town Hall – 6 p.m., Myrtle Grove Elementary School, 615 Lillian Highway
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Contractor Competency Board – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor (Agenda)
Transportation Planning Organization – 9 a.m., 1320 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze (Agenda)
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Thursday, Oct. 12
Committee of the Whole – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor
Sick Leave Pool Committee – 11 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Human Resources Department, 2nd Floor
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Entries Still Being Accepted For Friday’s Northview Homecoming Parade
October 10, 2017
Entries are still being accepted for the Northview High School Homecoming Parade this Friday, October 13.
The parade will line up at 12:30 p.m. and travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by October 10.
Contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 or email pbyars@escambia.k12.fl.us for more information.
The Northview Homecoming Meal to benefit the Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship Fund will be a BBQ plate with a pulled pork sandwich, chips, cookies and a drink for $7. The meal will be available beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at the football stadium concession stand.. Served by the Northview High School FFA Alumni.
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 13 against the Catholic Crusaders.
Pictured: The 2016 Northview High Homecoming Parade in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
“Bump Stock’ Ban Proposed In Florida After Vegas Shootings
October 10, 2017
Little more than a week after a massacre in Las Vegas, a Florida state senator Monday proposed banning devices — known as “bump stocks” — that can be used to increase the rate of firing bullets from semi-automatic weapons.
Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, filed the bill for consideration during the 2018 legislative session, which starts in January.
Bump stocks have drawn widespread attention since Stephen Paddock fired guns Oct. 1 from a window at the Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds of others who had gathered for a country-music concert.
Paddock, who also killed himself, had modified weapons to make them fire more rapidly.
Stewart’s bill would ban the possession and sale of bump stocks in Florida.
by The News Service of Florida.
Stock photo.
BOCC Approves New Street ‘Mossy Oak Drive’ In Molino
October 10, 2017
The Escambia County Commission recently approved a new street name for a private road in Molino.
They approved the street name “Mossy Oak Drive,” for a private road running east off of the 5500 block of North Highway 29 and 140 feet south of Chance Road. Otto Wallace, the only property owner impacted, signed a petition requesting the street name.
The road naming will cost the county $446.90 for a new street sign.