DeKalb Among Top 20 Tennessee Counties for Opioid Prescription Rates

September 7, 2018
By:

Although the number has decreased in recent years, DeKalb is still one of the Top 20 counties in the state for opioid prescription rates.

According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), DeKalb ranked 18th in the state in 2016 with an opioid prescribing rate of 161.2 prescriptions per 100 persons.

The number of opioids prescribed in the United States peaked in 2010 and then decreased each year through 2015. DeKalb’s rate followed a similar pattern, peaking in 2012 at 230.9 prescriptions per 100 persons. Since then, the rate has fallen each year at 215.8 in 2013, 208.7 in 2014 and 180.3 in 2015.

The CDC points out that healthcare providers began using opioids in the late 1990s to treat chronic pain (not related to cancer), such as arthritis and back pain. As this continued, more opioid prescriptions were written, for more days per prescription, in higher doses.

Opioid use soon became a major problem in Tennessee and across the nation. In 2007-2008, Tennessee led the nation in the number of residents over age 26 who abused prescription opioids. In 2010, 3, 379 Tennessee residents entered treatment programs for prescription opioid addiction.

It has also been reported that 70 percent of people who abuse prescription opioids obtain their supply from friends or family members while four (4) percent buy from dealers. Only 17 percent have a legitimate prescription from a physician.

The problem became so severe, the Tennessee Legislature recently addressed the issue.

Under a new law, pharmacists can only partially fill a prescription for no more than half of the number of days for which it is written. There are also other limits. General prescriptions are limited to a 10-day supply with prescriptions after surgery limited to a 20-day supply.

The law technically went into effect July 1, but to allow pharmacies a chance to update their software, the changes will not be mandated until January 1 next year. By law, before an opioid prescription can be filled, pharmacists must check the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database, which logs each time you fill a prescription for a controlled substance. The database must be checked when someone first brings a prescription to a pharmacy, and then again at least once every six months as long as a person is getting refills.

In addition, a physician must document the specific reasons a person is getting an opioid drug, along with the fact the patient is getting it with informed consent. Pharmacists also no longer have limits on discussing opioid-related issues with customers.

Some prescriptions, such as those for patients getting palliative cancer treatment or hospice care, are exempt. However, the physician must still write a diagnosis code and “exempt” on such prescriptions.

*Numbers used for the prescribing rates were based on a sample of approximately 50,000 retail (non-hospital) pharmacies, which dispense nearly 90% of all retail prescriptions in the U.S. For this database, a prescription is an initial or refill prescription dispensed at a retail pharmacy in the sample and paid for by commercial insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or cash or its equivalent.

September 7, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Tigers will host the undefeated Watertown Purple Tigers tonight in Smithville

The Tigers opened the season three weeks ago with a 19-14 win at home over Warren County but lost to Upperman 43 to 0 two weeks ago at home and 35-0 at Stone Memorial last week.

Watertown is 3-0 with wins over Gordonsville 48-8, over Mount Juliet Christian 61-7, and over Trousdale County 22-21.

Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said Watertown has a lot of weapons offensively.

“They have the ability to run the ball but they can get you in the quick passing game or throw the ball down field. The quarterback will run the ball some. They have the ability to do a lot of different things. They will give you multiple formations and different looks. Spread you out or put it in tight. Defensively they run after the ball. They do what they are supposed to do. They are disciplined. They know they are pretty good and they show it. I like the challenge. The question is are our guys going to rise up or will they cower down. I am interested to see,” said Coach Trapp.

Kick-off will be tonight at 7 p.m.

WJLE’s pre-game shows begin with “Coach to Coach” at 5 p.m. featuring former coaches Doug Matthews, Dave McGinnis, and broadcaster Larry Stone.

“Murphy’s Matchups” airs at 6 p.m. featuring the Guru of Tennessee High School Football Murphy Fair.

“Tiger Talk” begins at 6:30 p.m. featuring DCHS Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger Football Players Hunter Fann, Jacob Freeman, and Evan Jones. John Pryor, the Voice of the Tigers, is the host of the program.

WJLE’s “LIVE” play by play coverage starts at 7 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.

LISTEN LIVE ON WJLE AM 1480/ FM 101.7 and LIVE STREAMING at www.wjle.com

September 7, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Tennessee Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Lee will make a campaign stop in Smithville today (Friday) as part of his 95 county General Election “Believe in Tennessee” tour.

Lee will be at the DeKalb County Complex from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. to meet and greet the public.

“I’ve said throughout this campaign that Tennessee is a really good place to live, but in business, we know that good is the enemy of great,” said Lee. “For Tennessee to reach her full potential and lead the nation, we need to challenge the status quo and prioritize leadership over politics.”

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