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Show DAVIS COUNTY CLIPPER APRIL 17, 1985 DAVIS REFLEX JOURNAL APRIL 17, 1985 I)a is County Clipper I)ai is Published Reflex-Journ- al weekly by Clipper Publishing Co. 76 South Main Bountiful, Utah 84010 Weekly 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 March 8, 1979. Second class postage paid at Bountiful, UT, 84010 Publisher Mgr John Stahle, Jr. Editor Dean S. Stahle Asst Mgr. Luclle Stahle 296-225- Woods Cross PTA Clarifies Views Of Proposed School Site 1 (USPS 1491 i 8000) By 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. GARY R. BLODGETT Clipper News Editor WOODS CROSS - It may have appeared to many Woods 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. -- 1 the community might be informed about the of daily life, we present the Forum, in hope of aiding a more intelligent decision. That I behind-the-scene- 00 QGOOQQQ BUT s THATS not true, 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. Parent-Teach- OQQ Q0OOQO City, RDA Praised formation of a citicn group to study downtown Bountiful is another encouraging sign to accompany the recently announced economic development planning within the RDA. The IT IK OUTDATED, unworkable single minded fixation of a downtown mall plan with condemnation powers threatening to displace or jeopardize existing businesses appears genuinely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 striving for cooperation and foresight. TO THREE key Bountiful officials I wish to publically commend them for how they arc 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. 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. FROM TIME to time dunk my toes in the public waters. I care 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 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: according to at least four Woods 3 . Robert Robinson er 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 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 street leading to the school - 1100 South - is not a dead-en- d 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. 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. -- -- -- -- PERHAPS if the Woods Cross school were seriously proposed elses backyard, they, too, would vigoriously - or at least ask for modifications - which is location that oppose this small what opposition group has done. exactly in someone -- -- IT WAS also emphasized that the parking space issue has been Utahs Birthrate Ranked No, 1 By TOM BUSSELBERG - notes. Its a fast-growi- state, as most Utah's birthCLEARFIELD rate and percentage of residents under age 18 lead the nation. anyone w ho's been around for very long can attest, growing third fastest based on percentage increase. THOSE completing high school come in second, nationally, reports Jack Bailey, manager of the Clearfield Job Service. He presents sev- though, ranking only 42nd in the eral 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. UTAH IS still a small state, , dw'arfed next to California's plus or New York State's nearly that many. It has risen among other states to a 35th position, however Mr. Bailey population-wise- Its still relatively uncrowded, number of residents per square mile. of the states people live along the Wasatch FOUR-FIFTH- S and that Front from Provo-Ogde- n helps explain its ranking as 18th, nationally, in the percentage of residents living in metropolitan areas. The state's a relatively safe place when it comes to giving birth, ranking 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, youve 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 16th, percentagewise. But federal and state prisoners as a percentage of population came in at 45th. 1 AND IF you think ly you're unjust- treated, there are plenty of 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 average, 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. T By TOM BUSSELBERG Reflex-Journ- Editor al (Editors Note: The pharmacist quoted in this article has been practicing for 10 years, several of those years in Davis County. The views expressed are his own. Due to their nature, however, his name has been changed.) More drug abuse results from LAYTON prescriptions than burglary or -- - under world mis-us- e of legal activities. 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 0 5 he says. Either the doctor could care of 30 costs only less or the patient has the doctor fooled--th- e patient may be seeing multiple doctors. $5-$1- $10-$1- 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 1 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 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 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. counter, without prescription, Mr. Smith continues, adding, Were not being used to our full potential. 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, some physicians theyre entitled (to refills). In the good old days,for the rest of her told Mrs. Johnson she could have them (pills) to one for year without up life. Now we can fill a prescription a see we unless problem. recalling 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. 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 g 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- er A Life-Savin- HE EMPHASIZES physicians should educate the public but adds, 1 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. 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. HIS GRANDDAUGHTER was picking up refills for the dead mans wife who was now 90 years old. 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 off 35-4- 0 out of a book of 100 and who would be the wiser? 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 he 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) he discovers an overdose (prescribed)-tha- ts 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. her ITSHAPPENED 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. ed 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 g, |