SECTION 75:15-5-7. Shelter Policy on Medications

(a)   The shelter shall seek to afford shelter residents with the greatest possible privacy and autonomy in regard to their medication, while also providing a safe shelter environment, as follows:

(1)   Staff and volunteers shall not dispense medication or require residents to request their medication;

(2)   The shelter will provide every resident with an individual locking box, locker, or locking cabinet ("locked space") for storage of medications and valuables or lock the clients' medication in a safe but accessible location;

(3)   The shelter will not limit or monitor the client's access to the client's medication;

(4)   If a client indicates that she needs access to refrigerated storage space, the shelter will provide refrigerated storage space in the manner that provides the greatest possible privacy and autonomy; and

(5)   The shelter shall have a policy for the disposal of unused or abandoned medication or other substances.

(b)   Safety Agreement: During a resident's stay at shelter, the client shall be asked to make sure that any medications the client has are safely secured. The shelter will ask every resident to sign an agreement that the client will store any medications in the client's individual locking box, locker, or locking cabinet provided, or if it is one requiring refrigeration, as otherwise provided. The agreement will provide that residents who have medications that must be taken in the event of a medical emergency may carry them on their person (e.g., in a fanny pack).

(c)   Compliance with 75:15-5-7 shall be determined by a review of the program's policies and procedures, and on-site observation.

[Source: Added at 30 Ok Reg 1915, eff 7-25-13; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 804, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1195, eff 9-11-16; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 863, eff 9-14-18]