September 3, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 9

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Tuesday, September 3, 2019 Opinion Page “ElkCituNews Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 Protective Services, police doing good work Enid News & Eagle, Okla. Financial exploitation of the elderly is a despicable crime that leaves us shaking our heads wondering how someone could treat people that way. Unfortunately, it seems to be rampant, not just here but across the country. In the the past week, the News & Eagle has published two stories in which someone has been charged with ex- ploitation of the elderly. In one instance, a woman was charged and is accused of taking more than $49,000 from a 94-year-old woman for whom she was caring. In the other case, a woman was charged with taking money from her own mother and grandmother. In both instances, Adult Protective Services made re- ports with Enid Police Department concerning the victims. We'd like to commend Adult Protective Services and A worthwhile look at Oklahoma’s EPD for their work on uncovering these allegations and conducting investigations that culminated in charges be- ing filed. derly remember how things used to be, when people were occupational licensing Exploiting the elderly is a sad crime. Many times, the el- more trusting and -- as the old saying goes -- a man’s word was his bond. Too often, people up to no good prey on that The Oklahoman, Oklaho- reduce human trafficking, of massage therapists in title insurers do important trusting nature. ma City a noble pursuit. Yet the in- work. But after looking at Oklahoma has fallen by 18 Programs like RSVP of Enid also play a part in uncov- A small outfit in Okla- stitute notes that licensing percent, “a clear sign that practices in other states, he ering instances of exploitation. RSVP comes into contact homa City is trying to make “isn’t an adequate or neces- massage therapy as an eco- said, “it appears that Okla- with 500 elderly people each day by providing meals and a big difference in the way sary legislative response to nomic opportunity has been homa has done its best to other services. RSVP’s volunteers have seen instances of the state approaches policy human trafficking.” stifled.” make the buying and sell- exploitation and reported them. We hope family members pay close attention to their decisions. The 1889 Insti- Under the law, applicants A separate report rec- ing of real property as oner- loved ones to make sure they aren’t being taken advantage tute’s ongoing look at oc- must be at least 18, com- ommended deregulating ous and costly as possible.” of. That’s a hard thing to do, especially when it is a family cupational licensing is one plete at least 500 hours of abstracting in Oklahoma. The institute recommends, worth noting. massage therapy education, Abstractors research the among other things, doing member who apparently was involved in the exploitation. That’s when we are fortunate organizations such as The think tank says it is pass a nationally recognized ownership history of proper- away with the Abstractors “committed to independent, exam, carry liability insur- ty. By law, abstracts must be Board and ending abstract- Adult Protective Services and RSVP exist. They do so much in helping older people. principled state policy fos- ance and disclose any past prepared for all Oklahoma ing licensing. tering limited and respon- crimes. The law includes property sales as a condition Such proposals are gener- sible government, free en- a grandfather __ provision for buying title insurance, Butcher's bill ally met with opposition by terprise and a robust civil for applicants who have li- which is needed for mort- those who are established society.” Onerous licensing ability insurance and either gaged property. in these fields. The state’s tules get in the way of item have five years’ experience, Oklahoma licenses ab- former labor commissioner comes due No. 2, in particular. The institute has presented several recommendations have completed 500 hours of training or have passed a national exam. stractors. It also requires all abstracting companies to maintain title records, sepa- faced considerable head- winds from various agencies ‘Stillwater NewsPress, Okla, this summer as part of its Grandfather provisions in rate from the county record- while reviewing occupation- Will it be enough? The State of Oklahoma and Attorney “Licensing Directory for licensing laws “undermine ing office; requires a permit al licensing in Oklahoma. to create those records; re- Yet it’s an important ex- General Mike Hunter successfully prosecuted drug manu- Oklahoma.” Its most recent claims that such Acts are facturers. It's a win for Oklahoma, but it's hard to say if offering involves massage serious about protecting the quires a licensed attorney ercise. Burdensome rules the monetary damages are in line with the kind of pain and therapy licensing, which public,” the institute’s report to review all abstracts, and make it more difficult for suffering the opioid epidemic has solved. the Legislature approved in says. “The supposed bad ac- requires abstract companies many Oklahomans to find Hunter had said during the earlier cases that part of the 2016. tors on the prowl prior to to obtain a certificate of au- work, and they can make settling when he did was based on the fact that other states Some lawmakers saw li- 2016 could easily be grand- thority from the state Ab- services more expensive for will want their share. It was better to get what we could censing of these jobs through fathered in.” stractors Board. consumers. The 1889 Insti- when we could before class action suits got to the money. the Board of Barbering and But since 2016, the in- A research fellow at the tute should keep its recom- These companies make billions a year. The lawsuits are Cosmetology as a way to stitute notes, the number institute said abstractors and mendations coming. unlikely to lead to bankruptcy. Good advice as high Johnson & Johnson's $572 million will be added to two settlements that added up to $355 million; so the total tally falls short of a billion. It's a lot of money, but because of the way it's earmarked for specific uses, the state may not school football returns have the ability to convert it to a kind of trust like TSET. Johnson & Johnson wasted no time appealing. They can afford it. Our hope is that higher courts will find manu- facturers as culpable as Judge Thad Balkman did. Why shouldn't they? Johnson & Johnson will argue that, unlike The Oklahoman, Oklaho- ic events in Oklahoma has quently, the result of parents ting a college scholarship tobacco, opioids alone are not a public nuisance. What ma City reached epidemic propor- who have lost all perspec- (only 2% of high school about deceptively marketing them and pushing salespeo- A handful of games Fri- tion,” they wrote. tive on what sports are sup- ple to lie about addiction? athletes do so, according to day night marks the begin- Our state hasn’t cornered posed to be about -- learn- Writing for CNN.com, Oklahoma State University as- ning of what is traditionally the market on this sad be- ing how to compete, how to the NCAA); and make sure sistant professor Holly Karibo summed it up pretty well, one of the best times of year havior, of course. Jackson work together for a common your children know you that the judgment "proves what to many of us seemed in Oklahoma -- high school and Niehoff noted a recent goal, how to win with class love watching them play. overtly apparent: that corporate profits outweighed the football season. survey of high school ath- and lose with class. And that concern for consumers’ well-being in the supply and mar- High school football has letic directors nationwide not every call is going to go “Purchasing a ticket to a keting of opioids." always had a certain charm, which found that 62% said your way. high school athletic event The oddity is how many people seem to want to side with students, parents and the least favorite part of the Jackson and Niehoff does not give you the right with the corporations, or at least find more blame in the alumni coming out each job was “dealing with ag- wrote that nearly 80% of addicts than the pushers. We agree that many more are re- week to cheer their team. gressive parents and adult officials quit after their first to be rude, disrespectful or sponsible than are being punished. There were unscrupu- Unfortunately, however, fans.” two years, largely because verbally abusive,” Jackson lous doctors, unscrupulous pharmacists and unscrupulous that charm can be eroded by Adults acting like chil- of unruly parents and fans. distributors. There's plenty of blame to share. They should and Niehoff said. “Cheer boorish behavior from fans, dren has infected sports This has led to a growing all pay for this epidemic. If not criminally, then through a point made by the head of from youth level up. Recall shortage of officials that loud and be proud, but be their wallets since greed was the driving force through all the organization that over- the brawl that broke out in has become severe in some responsible and respectful.” of it. sees high school sports in Lakewood, Colorado, this sports. It’s good advice. Think Oklahoma. summer among parents at The two executives of- Have something to share? about it this way: Young- David Jackson, executive a baseball game for 7-year- fered six worthwhile guide- director of the Oklahoma olds, reportedly because lines for parents to follow: sters may or may not re- Secondary School Activi- they were upset with the act your age; don’t live member all the details about Send your ties Association, joined Ka- rissa Niehoff, who heads the umpire -- a 13-year-old! “It has to be one of the world’s vicariously through your children; Jet your child their big touchdown or National Federation of State most embarrassing offens- talk to the coach instead of game-winning basket, but letter to the editor to High School Associations, es,” Wall Street Journal col- you doing it for them; stay in an op-ed this week urging umnist Jason Gay wrote at in your lane (don’t coach they'll never forget the em- barrassment that comes with parents and fans to chill out. the time. from the stands); remember [email protected] “Inappropriate adult be- havior at high school athlet- Perhaps, although similar that taking part in a high incidents occur all too fre- school sport isn’t about get- mom or dad getting tossed from a game.