NEW POLICY SETS OUT PROCEDURES ON ILLICIT DRUGS

Healthcare Otago's new alcohol and drug policies appear to go some way
to meeting concerns about patients' drug and alcohol use.

Healthcare Otago mental health manager Dr Colleen Coop yesterday
released newly ratified policies for staff action when illicit drugs
are found on mental health services premises.

However, the father of a Wakari Hospital patient is still concerned
about levels of drug abuse at Wakari Hospital and is asking how often
patients are tested for evidence of drug use.

The man, who did not want to be named to protect his grandchildren's
identity, sought a drugs inquiry last month after believing his
daughter had access to marijuana while in Wakari Hospital.

"I have felt more relaxed about any concerns I had before. The staff
and I and my daughter now speak openly about the issues, which is good.

"But I am not really reassured about testing. There is no evidence of
any tests being done at all at Wakari," the man said.

Dr Coop was asked yesterday how many times Wakari Hospital had
blood-tested or urine-sampled patients to determine drug use, and the
date the last such test was done.

Dr Coop was unable to provide the statistics yesterday, but she
undertook to do so within the next few days.

The new policy contains a drug testing procedure, as well as actions
to be taken when illicit drugs are found.

Patients will be told on admission they must not use or receive
alcohol or drugs.

When a patient is suspected of recent drug involvement, staff must
consider, as part of the initial assessment, whether to obtain a urine
or blood sample to establish a baseline drug level, the policy says.

If a patient has a history of alcohol or drug use, they "may be
informed that urine screening/blood testing will be used to determine
their use of the alcohol or illicit drugs.

"Urine screening/blood testing may be requested at any time in
high-risk patients or at times where staff have suspicions that
alcohol or illicit drugs have been used."

The man said he would also like to see more education about not mixing
alcohol, drugs and medication.

Patients on community leave should be required to sign a contract not
to take drugs and alcohol while on leave, he said.