JACKSONVILLECITY COUNCIL
OPIOID EPIDEMIC SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
October 10, 2017
2:00 p.m.
Lynwood Roberts Room
First Floor, City Hall
117 W. Duval Street
Topic: Opioid Epidemic Special Committee
Attendance: Council Members Bill Gulliford (Chairman), Jim Love, Greg Anderson, and Scott Wilson; Paige Johnston – Office of General Council; Colleen Hampsey – Council Research Division.
Also: Councilman Danny Becton, Lt. Rowley – Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department,Scott Shine – Duval County School Board.
See attached sign-in sheet for additional attendees.
Convened:2:05 pm
Councilman Gulliford convened the meeting and asked for introductions.Courtney Robinson, Gateway Community Services, updated the committee on the status of the opioid pilot program. Ms. Robinson said that the contracts are currently being finalized between the City and Gateway, River Region, St. Vincent’s Hospital and UF Health.
Data was shared from the Medical Examiner’s Office, which showed 355 opioid related deaths in Duval County between January and September, 2017. For the full 2016 year, there were 464 deaths and in 2015 there were 201. Lt. Rowley, JFRD, presented statistics on overdoses handled by Fire and Rescue in September (309 OD calls received, 259 doses of Narcan administered, 297 patients treated for overdose on scene) which reflect a slight decrease from August but not enough to indicate a downtrend. The overdose reversal agent Narcan currently comprises 38 percent of JFRD’s pharmaceutical budget, $148,000 of $400,000. Councilman Becton asked Lt. Rowley about overdose recidivism,which is not currently tracked, but will be once the pilot program is implemented.
There was some discussion of involuntary treatment, wherein law enforcement or medical staff can direct overdose patients immediately to treatment facilities, which is used in some states but not in Florida. Florida does have the Marchman Act, which provides for an involuntary admission when there is good faith reason to believe the person is substance abuse impaired, and because of such impairment, the person has (a) lost the power of self-control with respect to substance use, and either (b) has inflicted or attempted/threatened to inflict, or, unless admitted for treatment, is likely to inflict, physical harm to him/herself or another; or (c) the person's judgment has been so impaired because of substance abuse that he/she is incapable of appreciating the need for substance abuse services and to make a rational decision regarding substance abuse services. However, this process involves court petitions and can be unwieldy, serving as anobstacle and delay in reaching treatment centers. Councilman Wilson suggested that Ronnie Fussell,Duval County Clerk of the Circuit & County Courts, could join the committee at a future date to describe the court procedures for the Marchman Act.
Rick Bensch, Retail Theft Analysis, spoke about gift card fraud and the role it plays in funding opioid addiction. Returning stolen merchandise in exchange for gift cards deprives the state of approximately $46 million is lost sales tax revenue. It was also mentioned that parents, who may think giving their children gift cards instead of cash as means to prevent them from using cash to buy drugs, should be aware that gift cards can be sold for cash (at half the value). Mr. Bensch’s organization is collaborating with law enforcement to provide a database of gift card fraud to be shared statewide.
Councilman Gulliford mentioned the potential lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies that the city is considering. There is current legislation that, if approved, will enable the City to select a law firm for representation on a contingency basis.
Jim Milligan and Dan Renaud, Recovery Schools, spoke about teens suffering from addiction disorders. Mr. Milligan and Mr. Renaud operate a high school in Jacksonville that combines non-residential substance abuse treatment with an academic curriculum. Mr. Milligan noted that most people that fall into addiction as adults began their drug use as adolescents, making intervention a time sensitive need. The Recovery School is funded through donations and has served 40 students since opening. The needs in the community far outweigh the available resources, with a possible 3000 students in Duval, Clay and St. Johns Counties who would benefit from the program.
Before adjourning the meeting, Councilman Gulliford mentioned a few topics for future discussions: the continued need for collaboration among addiction service providers, creating public awareness of prescription drug deposit kiosks for the disposal of unused opioid medications, future funding for replication if the city-funded pilot program proves successful, and increased public safety campaigns especially in schools (the general manager of WJXT TVhas offered PSA assistance).
Adjourned: 3:06 pm
Minutes: Colleen Hampsey, Council Research (904) 630-1498
10.11.17 Posted 12:00 p.m.