Illegal or Unauthorized Items and Paraphernalia

Goal - why is this important to us?

To ensure that all items coming into treatment are appropriate, safe and permissible and that any illegal or unauthorized items are appropriately disposed of.

Illegal or unauthorized items may include drugs, paraphernalia, pocket knives, pepper spray or any other items that clients are not allowed to have while in treatment.

See also: Weapons Disposal

Ingredients - what do I need to get started?

• Items that need to be sorted and/or disposed of

• Computer to complete incident report

• Another staff present to assist with disposal of items, when appropriate

Timeframe - about how long will this take?

Approximately 5-30 minutes

Contacts - who do I need to let know?

Program Coordinator

Steps - what do I do?

Illegal or unauthorized items found on a client or in client belongings at intake:

1. At admission to residential treatment or Spera, all new residents will sort their belongings to determine what is allowed during treatment.

   • At residential treatment, belongings will be sorted by two peers, in the presence of new client and staff.

   • At Spera, belongings will be sorted by the new client, in the presence of staff.

2. When illegal or unauthorized items are found:

   • Staff will immediately dispose of any illegal drug or medication with another staff present as a witness.

   • Unauthorized items will either be disposed of by staff, sent home with a friend/family member, or will be held for med review during treatment.

   • Staff will discuss this procedure with the new client.

   • Staff will document exactly what was disposed of, when, and by whom. If illicit drugs or paraphernalia are discarded, staff will document on an Incident Report. If unauthorized prescription drugs are discarded, staff will document on the Medication Disposal Log.

   • Staff will document all information regarding items found in the clients progress notes.

Illegal or unauthorized drugs found on the property or on a client already in treatment:

1. Possession of illegal or unauthorized items during treatment is grounds for immediate discharge.

2. When illegal or unauthorized items are found:

   • Staff will immediately dispose of any illegal drug or medication with another staff present as a witness.

   • Unauthorized prescription medication will either be disposed of by staff, sent home with a friend/family member, or will be held for med review during treatment.

   • Staff will discuss this procedure with the new client.

   • Staff will document exactly what was disposed of, when, and by whom. If illicit drugs or paraphernalia are discarded, staff will document on an Incident Report. If unauthorized prescription drugs are discarded, staff will document on the Medication Disposal Log.

3. If we know who the items belong(s/ed) to:

   • Staff will document all information regarding items found in the client chart.

   • Staff will assess the situation as a team (this may involve calling a group with all clients), and will determine whether this incident should result in discharge.

   • The incident will be dealt with clinically to allow the group to process it and to assess any further measures that may need to be taken.

How to dispose of items:

• Any drugs (prescription or illicit) should be disposed of following Illicit Drug/ Medication Disposal procedures

• Items such as pocket knives, pepper spray, paraphernalia, vapes etc. should be wrapped and disposed of immediately

  • Wrap item in a garbage bag and tape closed or secure in a cardboard box

  • Dispose of in bio-hazard bag and take immediately to garbage dumpster

  • Sharps container should be used only for syringes or razor blades. Do not use for disposal of pocket knives

Follow-up - what loose ends do I need to wrap up?

Make sure to complete Incident Report via Apricot

CARF Standards:

1.H.2

2.A.25.a