> My name is Kevin and I am a nursing student who is currently working with
> low income hotel residents and also at a family homeless shelter in
> Portland, Oregon. I am writing in regards to a recent issue which has
> arisen at the homeless shelter where I work:
>      The homeless shelter where I work carries many over the counter
> medications which are distributed to the residents when it is requested.
> However, the people who distribute such medications are the volunteers at
> the homeless shelter.  
>      I am wondering if there is a specific US federal policy or Oregon
> state policy which could help guide the shelter in regards to the legality
> of distributing such medications.  I am concerned that there may be some
> liability issues if a resident at the shelter obtains a medication from
> the volunteers and, subsequently, has an adverse reaction.

> Thank you,
> Kevin M Hunt

> Date: Tue, 02 Feb 99 08:57:31 -0500



> Subject: Re: No subject given

>         You might check with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and
> thier work release center....Corrections often dispenses over the
> counter meds, they probably have a policy or something that might be
> of some help.

> Also perhaps the public health folks.

> I know when I worked in various prisons and jails, OTC meds were given
> by correctional officers to inmates pretty much upon request.  The
> prison doctors were aware of these activities and helped to write the
> policies

> Hope this helps

> ______________________________ Reply Separator
> _________________________________

> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 17:43:23 -0800 (PST)

> Subject: Re: No subject given (fwd)

> I have extensive experience observing homeless people in Portland entering
> the shelter system who end up medicated.  After a homeless individual
> contacts a social worker within the shelter system and tells the worker
> that he or she is an {*filter*}-the fastest and best way to get housing-after
> the person proves his or herself by showing up to shelter recovery groups
> and making AA and NA groups, they are sent for a physical which includes
> visiting a welfare paid shrink.  Most are then diagnosed as
> manic-depressive and put on medication: a thinly disguised attempt to
> ensure calm order within the shelter systems.

> I suspect, but since I don't know Oregon law, that the dispensing of
> prescribed {*filter*} by unqualified shelter volunteers, is highly illegal.  I
> once was married to a man who studied pharmacy but didn't get a degree who
> was legally allowed to fill prescriptions under the supervision of his
> father who was a pharmacist.  But this was in another state.  However,
> there is most likely little control to ensure that volunteers don't steal
> meds and sell them, or give them to the wrong person, or even lose them.

> I suggest that if someone wants to test this handing out of medications by
> people who doubtfully are fit to do so, that it be done by acquiring
> information from one specific shelter and by being careful to understand
> that if social workers are the ones dispensing the meds, then they most
> likely-because they are licensed-are legal to do so.  I make this
> distinction because it is important to know if it is social workers
> dispensing the meds or volunteers.

> Sharon

> "What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life?/The world
> would split open."  ...Kathie Kollwitz