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Show J DAVIS COUNTY CLIPPER APRIL 17, 1985 DAVIS REFLEX JOURNAL APRIL 17, 1985 I)a I)ais County Clipper Published weekly is Reflex-Journ- al by Woods Cross PTA Clarifies Views Of Proposed School Site Clipper Publishing Co. 76 South Main Bountiful, Utah 64010 newspaper published at Bountiful UT in the interest of Davis County and colonies formed by former residents. Entered as second class matter at Bountiful Utah, under the Act of Weekly March 8, 1979 Second class postage paid at Bountiful John Stahle, Jr. Dean S. Stahle Luclle 84010 Publisher Mgr Editor Asst Mgr UT, Stahle 295-225- 1 (USPS I 1491-8000- By GARY R. BLODGETT Clipper News Editor It may have appeared to many Woods WOODS CROSS Cross residents reading past articles of the proposed construction of a new elementary school that most of the townspeople are opposed to the school at the proposed site, 100 South 700 West. resolved with 130 parking spaces now being provided. The buffer zone on the west side of the school is being modified by the (Davis) School District. "The latter was done when the school district had the plans redrawn, shifting the school to the east and adding more trees and lawn, the letter states. 1 That the community might be informed about the of daily life, we present the Forum, in hope ot aiding a behind-the-scene- BUT THATS not true, s Parent-Teach- more intelligent decision i 00 QQOO0GQ PQQ Q0OPQ6 I The formation of a citizen group to study downtown Bountiful is another encouraging sign to accompany the recently announced economic development planning within the RDA. Oi l DATED, unworkable single minded fixation of a downtown mall plan with condemnation powers threatening to displace or jeopardize existing businesses appears genuinely dead. Having recently chided the "Benchmark Region" claim of being "a Standard of cooperation and foresight." I wish to commend them for their desire and energies given to promoting the region. I further encourage them to continue striv ing for cooperation and foresight. - By TOM BUSSELBERG THOSE completing high school come in second, nationally, reports Jack Bailey, manager of the Clearfield Job Service. He presents several interesting facts about the state, including some that might be surprising to many readers. Conversely with the population under age 18, Utah ranks 49th when it comes to the percentage of senior citizens among the 1.7 million residents. waters. care FROM TIME to time dunk my toes about the city and am grateful that some acceptance and some opportunities allow me to serve in official capacities. I happen to think the letters to the Editor Forum is an essential component to inform and stimulate citizens. Finally, I will express optimism about the character and directions being emphasized since concerning the business, professional and institutional development of the city. UTAH IS still a small state, dwarfed next to population-wise- , California's plus or New York State's nearly that many. It has risen among other states to a 35th position, however Mr. Bailey 3 Robert Robinson - THE OLD (Woods Cross Elementary) school is a health, safety and welfare concern for all city residents. The city fire marshall has labeled the school seriously below safety standards and the majority of the citys population is very concerned and hope that nothing be done to delay the progress of the new schools construction. The location of the proposed new school is the safest of any proposed by the school district and Woods Cross City. THE PETITION signed by 158 persons opposing the school at the proposed site feel there are better locations for the school. It was their findings - reported both in the Commission meeting and with subsequent material Planning offered the Clipper - that created the basis of earlier Clipper articles. Frequently, there are opposition groups to locations of school, burn plant, jail and other public building structures. To oppose these locations is the democratic process. -- -- d notes. CLEARFIELD - Utah's birthrate and percentage of residents under age 18 lead the nation. I mid-198- NOTING THAT the citys Master Plan is not binding, the PTA officers noted that the master plan is only a guide and frequently undergoes changes. The letter concluded: PERHAPS if the Woods Cross school were seriously proposed elses backyard, they, too, would vigoriously or at least ask for modifications - which is that location oppose exactly what this small opposition group has done. in someone - -- Utahs Birthrate Ranked No. 1 CITY MANAGER Tom Hardy's track record is very good. I believe the absence of existing political relationships and reciprocities have permitted maximum objectivity to compliment his skills. The RDA has moved from being directed by a hard driving real estate developer to being regenerated under Randy Sant, a man with a sound RDA background. in the public -- IT WAS also emphasized that the parking space issue has been TO THREE key Bountiful officials I wish to publically commend them for how they are executing their responsibilities with respect to the city's development. It's gratifying to find positions I've been advocating since 1979 becoming viable. I am encouraged that the inherent potential for total excellence in the city is becoming increasingly more possible. Upon his election I expressed to Mayor Stahle a confidence his character and leadership as a conciliator, communicator, and catalyst would calm the conflicts and help bring the council together. His persistence to create and earn trust, cooperation and commitment are most commendable. I er THE LETTER emphatically stated their concerns about past articles and the "number of inaccuracies reported in the articles. The letter specifically quoted the article that appeared in the Clipper Wednesday, April 10. We are distressed with the Clippers coverage of the school site issue and request a more thorough research of facts and information and stop representing Woods Cross residents with views based on a small groups opinions. THE LETTER noted that the petition signed by 158 signatures opposing the school at the proposed site is not a large number in a town of approximately 5,000. The petition asked for a of the site, something which the PTA officers contend has already been done. fact that the The letter clarified an apparent 1100 South - is not a dead-enstreet leading to the school street, and that the street is 32 feet wide, the same as all other city streets, and that all sidewalks in Woods Cross are equal in width. City, RDA Praised TUK according to at least four Woods Cross Elementary School Association officers who say they have polled many of the towns residents. The majority of the residents want the school at the proposed site and want to be represented fairly, it was stated in a letter to the Davis County Clipper from PTA president Norman Jensen and signed by three other executive officers. Its a state, as most anyone w ho's been around for very long can attest, growing third fastest based on percentage increase. It's still relatively uncrowded, g though, ranking only 42nd in the number of residents per square mile. of the state s people live along the Wasatch and that Front from helps explain its ranking as 18th, nationally, in the percentage of residents living in metropolitan areas. The states a relatively safe place when it comes to giving birth, rankFOUR-FIFTH- S Provo-Ogde- n ing 44th in infant mortality. There are plenty of physicians here, as well, the state ranking 23rd percentagewise. When it comes to hospital beds per 100,000 residents, though, the state comes in at the bottom. And hospital costs per patient day are right near the front-- at 6th place. EDUCATIONALLY, the state comes in second in terms of the percentage who have completed high school, while average school teacher salaries were just below the median, coming in 28th. Mr. Bailey indicates. When it comes to how much is spent per pupil, though, Utah ranks 48th. If you think Utah is a crime-fre- e zone, you've got another thing coming, though. He reports the crime rate per ,000 population put the state at 18th while the number of adults under correctional supervision was at 6th , percentagewise. But federal and state prisoners as a percentage of population came in at 45th. 1 think you're unjustly treated, there are plenty of AND IF you - ... " lawyers to go around, apparently. Utah ranks 11th in that category when population is taken into account. When it comes to such areas as public assistance, the state ranks near the bottom, coming in at 45th, while Social Security beneficiaries per 10,000 population stands at 49th. IF YOU think you're bad off, economically, when it comes to that pay check, Utah stands right below the middle, at 26th place, although its money income per capita is lower, standing at 37th. As far as improvement in that personal income between 1972 and 1982-8the state has fared just above aver3, age, ranking 24th, Mr. Bailey says. As far as new housing unit starts, the state comes in at 32nd, although construction contracts value puts the state at 19th. " Are Prescription Drugs Misused? By TOM BUSSELBERG Reflex-Journ- Editor al in this article has been pracof 10 those several for years in Davis County. The views years, ticing expressed are his own. Due to their nature, however, his name has been changed.) (Editors Note: The pharmacist quoted e of legal More drug abuse results from LAYTON activities. under world or than burglary prescriptions -- - mis-us- THATS THE view of one Davis County pharmacist who views the problem is far more than heroin or cocaine and their high price. John Smith quickly turns to the example of Dilaudid, usually prescribed for terminal cancer. a piece while a prescription Four miligrams can sell for 5 he says. Either the doctor could care of 30 costs only less or the patient has the doctor fooled-t- he patient may be doctors. seeing multiple $5-$1- 0 $10-$1- THE STREET value is so inflated this is how people support their heroin or cocaine habit, Mr. Smith continues, citing the case of a dentist who called asking what Dilaudid was, after being told by a patient it was the only drug he could take to cure tooth pain. The pharmacist is caught in the middle between the physician and the customer or patient, he says, emphasizing his moral and ethical obligation as a professional to assure only what he sees as legitimate prescriptions are filled. THE DOCTOR controls the pharmacist, Mr. Smith says. it. He That is his legal order. If he says dispense 30 means do not give anymore without checking. A majority of people think if they get it (prescription) once, theyre entitled (to refills). In the good old days, some physicians told Mrs. Johnson she could have them (pills) for the rest of her life. Now we can fill a prescription for up to one year without recalling unless we see a problem. pills--tha- ts BUT MR. Smith says a lot of doctors dont want to be bothered" and some customers get upset when theyre told the physician must be consulted and especially raise their dander if they then find out there can be no more pills, he continues. he wears stating Pharmacy--Pointing to the Profession" Mr. Smith emphasized, "A pharmacist is entrusted with peoples public safety. Im under no obligation to fill a prescription if I see a medical problem. I have to call the doctor. pen-hold- Life-Savin- A er g Often a hapless patient comes to the pharmacy, prescription in hand but knowing a lot more that the doctor imparted than is evident in that written document. So much of what a doctor tells a patient may not be on the prescription and through no ones fault, the patient may not know or remember and more than that brief description. MAYBE THE doctor will prescribe taking 12 pills and if its working, call the doctor who will then renew it. The patient may only remember to take the 2 and get some more, either forgetting or not wanting to call the physician back. Taking a blast at some physicians Mr. Smith goes on, Doctors do not have the proper respect for drugs like they should. There is 1 too much overprescribing done needlessly. HE USES the example that your wife will feel better if the doctor gives her a prescription. She then feels the trip was more worth it instead of just getting drugs over the counter. A physician could call, explain the problem and the pharmacist could often prescribe a less expensive drug available over the counter, without prescription, Mr. Smith continues, adding, Were not being used to our full potential. A PHARMACIST studies nothing but drugs for three out of his five or six years pharmacy training. Doctors are lucky if they get more than one semester of pharmacology. Im not a policeman to stop people from getting what theyre entitled to, he stresses, adding that he sees his role as a protector of our public safety. TOO OFTEN, pharmacists give in to faulty prescriptions, however, he laments, citing the example of a woman who placed a bottle on the counter when he was busy. It took him a while to track down the customer but before he could, Mr. Smith had called the physician. The prescription was for an arthritis drug thats not without its side affects" such as stomach problems, he says. He requested a refill from the physician and was told by the receptionist that the prescription had been written for a man whod died five years earlier. was picking up refills for the dead I was the first pharmacist to ever question" that prescription, he notes. Many forged prescriptions appear, written by someone other than a doctor, Mr. Smith says, noting youd be surprised how many doctors leave empty blanks in their exam rooms in plain view." During the time the patient is alone he could rip ofT 0 out of a book of 100 and who would be the wiser?" HIS GRANDDAUGHTER mans wife who was now 90 years old. 35-4- IIE EMPHASIZES physicians should educate the public but adds, I dont think physicians ever will because too many of them see us as a hindrance. 1 hey would like to be able to take off the shelf and dispense drugs on their own. when contacted said hed not been notified she was still getting the prescription. Her physician said shed deteriorated to the point she could no longer be helped. At that, Mr. Smith says a lot of poor old people like that are on a fixed income. If the doctor doesnt want to see a patient for six months be should at least write the prescription accordingly but so many wont indicate sufficient refills. OFTEN THEY (doctors) say they need to see the patient again but patients dont have the money to go in even if sufficient refills couldve been prescribed. Patients get to thinking they can get a refill whenever they want, he says, and that makes it hard on the pharmacist out in the trenches and the patient. PROBABLY any pharmacist could count the times (regularly) (prescribed)--that- s part of our job. The pharmacist also must often face bosses-whetof large chains or in the pharmacy who are more after the numbers than anything. I talk to so many and all theyre interested in is the numbers. Ive been told by my superior one time or another not to be a cop. IF DRUG abusers werent the nations number one problem-ho- w ludricrous can that statement be? Mr. Smith asks. As a general rule, Mr. Smith says he always asks for a drug control number when checking legitimacy of a prescription along with an office phone number. he discovers an overdose her ITS HAPPENED so many times. They always call in after (doctors) hours asking for a prescription. And even when get- ting through to a doctor the hired help is often improperly trained and may treat the pharmacist like a clerk dispensing bar soap. He cites the case of a physician in Salt Lake City who said once he prescribes the 100 pills, his responsibilitys ended. If the patient takes two at a time or the whole bottle, its not his problem. THEN THERES the time a black man in his 50s or 60s came in, dressed as a Priest asking for a refill. To a question of current address, the man said he was from Seattle just passing through, visiting his sister. The medication was normally used for terminal cancer so when Mr. Smith called the physician, he was told there was a chart on the man and every time he came through he just got refills. When the priest could give no local address, Mr. Smith said no go. so-call- HES PROBABLY selling the drug out on the street to your and my kids. Its one of the most worst drugs. He sees the problem facing pharmacists as only getting harder, especially with the more competitive marketplace and the smaller stores have to "just about fill every prescription to stay open. habit-formin- GIVING ANOTHER example, he spoke of the old lady who was getting eyedrops for glaucoma. It had been filled for two years and the doctor never notified" the pharmacist to stop it and to i I g, |