Medication storage program opens weekdays for homeless population

Abigail Jones
·2 min read

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A medication storage program for individuals experiencing homelessness has opened in Austin.

The city’s Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) created the Medication Storage Program for prescription medications for people experiencing homelessness. It’s available through the DACC’s Walk-In Case Management Services, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 505 Barton Springs Road.

DACC said its Walk-in Case Management serves on average over 70 people per day, and provides assistance signing up for public benefits, obtaining and storing vital documents, use of DACC as a mailing address, linkages to medical, mental health, and substance use services, and now prescription medication storage to help make sure people experiencing unsheltered homelessness have a safe and secure place to store prescribed medication.

DACC said when medications are lost or destroyed due to weather conditions it can be challenging, expensive and time-consuming to get them replaced. The court said providing a secure place for homeless people to store medicine helps address barriers to maintaining access to medical and mental health resources.

“The Medication Storage Program is a continuation of DACC’s approach to design services that are compassionate, person-centered, and effective to benefit the people we serve and the broader Austin community,” said Jennifer Sowinski, Clinical Operations Manager at Downtown Austin Community Court. “Having reliable access to prescription medications helps individuals experiencing homelessness maintain stability leading to better outcomes, and ultimately reduces impacts on emergency response systems.”

In order to be stored at DACC, medications must be in the original prescription bottle. DACC said staff can help participants read the label on their medicine container but will not provide any medical guidance. If medical questions come up, DACC staff will help people connect with their pharmacy or medical provider.

During the first phase of the program, any prescribed medications that do not require refrigeration can stored at DACC. The court said it is developing phase 2 of this program, which will provide storage for prescriptions requiring refrigeration, expected to be available later this year.

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