The opioid epidemic in the United States has already devastated people’s lives, and in some cases, entire communities. The search for these drugs goes deep, even into healthcare centers, including skilled nursing homes and assisted living communities. In many instances, nurses and other healthcare professionals have admitted to how easy it is to steal prescription medication from these care settings. The technical term for this problem is “diversion,” and it is a major problem.
What is Being Stolen?
Certain classifications of drugs are sought after more than others. What is one chronic health problem that many people complain about most? Pain. Working on your feet all day will eventually take its toll on your legs, knees, hips and back. Caring for others is physically and emotionally challenging work. Because of this, opioids are the most highly desired drug and the main target for diversion. Examples of opioids stolen from care centers include Codeine, Fentanyl, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Demerol, Methadone, Morphine, and OxyContin. All of these drugs cause sedation and are highly addictive. They do help with pain, soreness and other muscular discomforts.
Benzodiazepines are the second most diverted drug in care centers. These drugs are prescribed to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia. They have sedating effects and are considered highly addictive. Some medications in this class are Valium, Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin. Benzodiazepines can calm nerves, relax the mind and body and make the user feel good for a while.
Looking for Easy, Online CEUs?
Find Substance Abuse CEUs and many other subjects to fulfill your CE requirements.
Warning Signs
The best method for dealing with this problem is prevention, which involves being aware of co-workers and their behaviors and understanding warning signs of diversion. If an individual is stealing drugs from the workplace, they may exhibit some of the following warning signs:
- Insisting on caring for seniors on heavy prescription medications
- Frequenting the medication room for unusually long periods of time
- Requesting night shift with no administration around
- Decline in hygiene and personal appearance
- Deteriorating documentation such as forgetting to count pills or chart when medications are administered
- Deterioration in once health relationships with co-workers, residents and family members
- Legal problems
Sometimes the caregiver will become so desperate, they will engage in abusive, neglectful and exploitative behavior toward innocent residents, especially those with various forms of dementia. After all, they won’t be able to remember if their medications were administered or not.
Effects of Diversion
Drug theft can be very expensive for everyone involved. Once the news breaks in the community, the reputation of the facility will suffer for a long time. Business will slow down, employees can be laid off, and it may become difficult to recruit new talent. Residents taking medications for anxiety, pain and insomnia will suffer from lack of relief. The employee suffers from potential addiction, being fired and loss of professional license.
Final Words on Drug Theft in Senior Care
Drugs are everywhere. Opioids are killing people every day in the United States. Some towns and communities have been devastated. No one is immune from the effects of drugs, not even licensed healthcare professionals. Diversion is a terrible problem in senior care facilities and we must remain diligent about diminishing or ending it altogether.
Go to ceu.academy for Substance Abuse CEUs and many other topics.