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Valdez's Final Year

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 1, 2008

Joseph Valdez used narcotics for more than a decade before he died of an overdose in April 2007. He was 32. Here is a timeline of his quest for drugs in the months before his death.

May 8, 2006: Valdez visits a pain specialist for pain in his knee, back and shoulder. He obtains a prescription for the muscle relaxer Flexeril, also known as cyclobenzaprine. It is postdated for 10 days later because he already has one from April 18.

May 18: He visits a pain clinic, complaining of back pain.

May 22: Using a prescription from the pain clinic doctor, he obtains the painkiller oxycodone and the muscle relaxer Soma from a pharmacy.

May 24: A doctor at St. Joseph's Hospital, consulting with the pain specialist, writes that Valdez "does not seem to be abusing the medications. … He does not have very expressive affect, but not drug-seeking behavior."

May 25: Valdez goes to St. Joseph's for chest pains and is admitted for cardiac observation. A need for follow-up is noted with a primary care doctor, pain specialist and psychiatrist.

May 27: He goes to the Hillsborough County Crisis Center.

June 15: Valdez visits the pain specialist, denying abuse of medication and saying that without it he cannot function.

June 15: He obtains oxycodone and Flexeril using the prescription from the pain specialist.

July 5: After a suicide attempt in which he took an estimated 80 Flexeril pills, Valdez goes to St. Joseph's. He tests positive for cocaine and marijuana. Detoxification starts. A hospital note states: "Narcotics Anonymous initial goal 90 meetings in 90 days and get sponsor."

July 17: He visits the pain specialist for back and shoulder pain. He says he is taking oxycodone four times daily and caring for 13 children plus his daughter. He obtains Flexeril and oxycodone using a prescription from the pain specialist.

July 18: Valdez is admitted to St. Joseph's under the Baker Act, which allows involuntary incarceration for mental evaluation. He had taken 96 Flexeril and ingested cocaine. He says he doesn't want to live.

July 24: The pain specialist writes that he is dropping Valdez as a patient.

Aug. 1: Valdez is admitted to St. Joseph's under the Baker Act again, saying he is suicidal. He says he was hit by a car, has pain and wants medications, a doctor writes. Valdez threatens to sue.

Aug. 4: Tampa Fire Rescue takes Valdez from a hotel to the emergency room at University Community Hospital Carrollwood. He says he has chest pains and had been in Ybor City drinking all night.

Aug. 5: He goes to Hillsborough County Crisis Center.

Aug. 14: Valdez goes to St. Joseph's because he's thinking of suicide. He says he had a small overdose of heroin. "The relentless recidivism would seem to indicate that he needed more structure," a doctor writes. Valdez agrees it may be time for long-term care.

Aug. 30: He leaves St. Joseph's.

Sept. 1: He starts outpatient treatment at Family Services of Pinellas County.

Sept. 2: He goes to St. Joseph's and is taken to Springbrook Hospital, Brooksville.

Sept. 29: He leaves Springbrook and obtains a prescription for six drugs at a pharmacy, using a prescription from a psychiatrist.

Oct. 3: He goes to the Hillsborough County Crisis Center and then is admitted under the Baker Act to St. Joseph's after an overdose, possibly heroin.

Oct. 6: He is released from St. Joseph's.

Oct. 7: He is taken back to St. Joseph's. Tampa Fire Rescue reports he has chest pain.

Oct. 13: He finishes outpatient treatment at Family Services of Pinellas.

Oct. 26: He goes to St. Joseph's.

Jan. 9, 2007: He obtains Xanax using a prescription from the psychiatrist.

Jan. 11: Wearing a knee brace, he visits a partner of his primary care doctor. Narcotic dependence is noted in the doctor's report. The doctor says to continue oxycodone and Xanax as needed, then prescribes 14 Soma until Valdez can see an orthopedic surgeon.

Feb. 5: He undergoes an MRI at Memorial Hospital for a knee injury.

Feb. 7: Valdez visits an orthopedic surgeon and discusses physical therapy and surgery for his knee. The surgeon wants a second opinion and prescribes oxycodone but no refills.

Feb. 12: He visits his primary care doctor seeking oxycodone refill. The doctor notes he is dependent on narcotics and prescribes Soma and oxycodone. He obtains oxycodone using the prescription.

Feb. 21: Valdez is taken to St. Joseph's, where he says he overdosed on 20 Soma pills and 20 Vicodin, a pain reliever containing hydrocodone. He is admitted under the Baker Act.

March 21: He is released from St. Joseph's.

March 27: Valdez visits his primary care doctor's partner, seeking refills for knee pain medication. He obtains oxycodone, Xanax and Soma using a prescription from the doctor.

April 4: Found on a friend's front porch, he is taken to St. Joseph's Hospital for a Xanax overdose. A drug screen shows other narcotics, including cocaine.

April 11: He is stabilized at St. Joseph's and moved to the psychiatric floor.

April 16: His mother tells a hospital social worker she's concerned about his "pattern of suicide attempts and drug use" and that without long-term treatment, "next time will be fatal."

April 23: He is released from St. Joseph's. A hospital psychiatrist notes significant improvement. A discharge plan calls for outpatient follow-up. He obtains a Soma refill.

April 24: Valdez shows the MRI of his knee to the pain clinic doctor. He obtains Soma, oxycodone and Xanax.

April 24: He is found passed out at friend's house and is declared dead at St. Joseph's.

Sources: medical records, pharmacy records, billing statements, Tampa Fire Rescue records

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