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Gainesville doctor takes part in prescription drug summit
Dr. Jack M. Chapman Jr., an ophthalmologist with Gainesville Eye Associates, took part in a national summit on prescription drug abuse March 2 at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
A past president of the Medical Association of Georgia and a member of the MAG Foundation board of directors, Chapman participated in a panel discussion with medical, law enforcement, public policy, substance abuse and legislative leaders from across the state and country that focused on solutions to the growing problem of prescription drug abuse.
In addition, Dr. Chapman introduced the lunch speaker, Tom Bour, a registered nurse who provided a personal perspective as a recovering prescription drug addict.
The summit was hosted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency.
"Georgia faces an epidemic of prescription drug abuse," Chapman said. "More than 500 people died in one year from overdoses of prescription drugs alone in Georgia, compared to 86 people who died from overdosing on illegal drugs. That is nearly six times more deaths."
Cornelia financial company promotes 2 to vice president
Financial Supermarkets Inc. of Cornelia recently announced the promotion of Matthew D. Paul and W. Chad Smith to vice presidents of client support and training.
Paul, a Clarkesville resident who joined FSI in January of 2007, has served as AVP/Senior Training Consultant for in-store financial institutions located in the Southeast. His responsibilities have since evolved to include the preparation of FSI's biweekly newsletter, coordinating and production of web conferences and assisting in the research and development of new member services and programming.
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he was previously employed by Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland. He and his wife, Alyson, have two sons.
A Toccoa native, Smith was previously employed by Carolina Closet and served as chief executive officer and senior pastor of Callaway Park Church in LaGrange. He and his wife, Danette, live in Toccoa with one daughter.
"Matt and Chad bring a unique set of talents and skills to our organization and a shared commitment to deliver high quality services to our members across the country," Roy Bell, FSI president and chief executive officer said.
Financial Supermarkets Inc., a division of Market Contractors of Portland, Ore., corporation, is headquartered in Cornelia; website, www.supermarketbank.com.
From staff reports