On January 12th the world watched as one of the worst natural disasters in our history shook Haiti and left the country in shambles. Just hours after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, an international effort to provide humanitarian relief was underway. I am proud so many Coloradans reacted so profoundly to the Haitian’s suffering and responded to their needs by sending money and medical supplies. Though the disaster may no longer be front-page news, the suffering continues.
Colorado has an opportunity to show its compassion by continuing its support of the people of Haiti and providing them with one of their most desperate needs: medication.
One source of medical aid that has yet to be to be tapped is unused medication from long-term care facilities in Colorado. Under current law, all unused, unopened medication that licensed healthcare facilities wish to donate to a not-for-profit entity, must gain consent by the patient, resident, or next of kin. If medication remains in the possession of the care facility for an extended period of time, they are required to eventually dispose of it.
Colorado has the opportunity to help the people of Haiti and others around the world, but to do so we must act quickly. That is why I am sponsoring legislation to change Colorado law so we can donate unused medication to the relief effort in Haiti as well as to other humanitarian disasters which may arise.
This will be a win-win for Colorado and for the people of Haiti. We have the opportunity to provide the victims of this devastating natural disaster with much needed medication. We can also prevent medications from ending up in Colorado’s drinking water. Under this bill, we are helping those in need and keeping Colorado’s water clean.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
