Illicit substances detected at Oregon State Hospital

An OSH representative said the drugs could have been mailed to the patients who tested "non-negative."

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Authorities are currently investigating how illicit substances could have made their way into the Oregon State Hospital.

In an email sent to KOIN 6 on Tuesday, an OSH spokesperson explained that staff at the psychiatric hospital “noticed something was different” among patients in one unit on July 11. The workers alerted their supervisors, who then prompted preliminary drug screens for each patient in the unit.

One individual tested “non-negative” for methamphetamines, while another tested “non-negative” for suboxone — a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone that is often used to treat opioid addiction. However, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration asserts suboxone could have adverse effects for those without an opioid dependency.

Neither drug had been prescribed for the patients at the Salem campus.

Crews are now conducting additional tests to verify the initial results. Those results are expected to come back this week. Employees are also awaiting the results of the random drug tests gathered on other units “to determine how widespread the issue is.”

According to the OSH spokesperson, preliminary evidence shows the substances were likely sent through the mail. The hospital is holding mail from the patients who returned positive tests.

Oregon State Police are looking further into the incident.

“OSP consistently receives complaints related to the introduction of controlled substances into correctional facilities — including the Oregon State Hospital,” Captain Kyle Kennedy told KOIN 6 in an email. “While we do not comment on current investigations, it is common for OSP to investigate these reports to support the safety of facility residents.”

The safety of the facility was also called into question in May, when officials announced the hospital would boost security in response to findings that patients hadn't been protected from assaults.

Later in June, the Oregon Health Authority announced the facility had been placed in immediate jeopardy status due to staff’s failure to properly conduct hourly viability checks.