Kimberly Rogers Inquest Alerts

Kimberly Rogers Inquest - Mon., Nov. 18, 2002 - Day 20
Ontario Social Safety NetWork (OSSN) Summary

Harold Duff, the OW administrator continued his testimony:

- Spoke about a screening committee that was now in place where cases come to Mr. Duff and committee members. They have considered 4 cases since the death of K. Rogers with only two of the cases referred to police. Committee will review the cases in 6 months to see if status has changed.

- All OW recipients need to have a participation agreement; case worker develops a plan with the client involving for example job searches, placements etc.

- In the case of an OW client's non-compliance the first notice would carry a 3 month suspension and the second, a six month suspension.

- Average time on assistance in Sudbury is 20 months. 15 - 20% of OW clients work.

- Juror asked Mr. Duff what was the incentive for a recipient to pay less rent than that allowed by the shelter allowance - as in the case of two roommates who shared the rent of $450 at $225 each. Would they receive the maximum shelter allowance of $325 or would they receive the $225? Mr. Duff responded with $225 (there's no financial incentive)

- Juror also asked Mr. Duff whether OW goes after the father following the birth of a child whose mother is on OW. Yes.

- Juror asked how fraud under $5,000 is handled. Mr. Duff responded that it would be handled in house with money recovered from overpayments .

- Coroner asked Mr. Duff: "Would it be valuable to have an independent social worker to review case of someone under criminal review? Coroner also asked Mr. Duff if in his opinion it would be helpful if the wording of the policy in Section 36 was changed from "shall" to "may" (discretionary powers of OW admin).

Next to testify was Dr. Nancy Fowler, expert witness in Family Medicine

- Testified that amitriptyline used more for chronic pain and panic disorders than for depression. SSRIs (such as Prozac) which are newer drugs are more commonly used for depression and they don't present as much danger for overdosing as does amitriptyline.

- Area of concern for Dr. Fowler, was the number of tablets and the level of dosage prescribed to K. Rogers near her death - a level higher than Dr. Fowler would be comfortable with.

- Saw K. Rogers admission of self-medicating of amitriptyline to 250 mg when she was prescribed 150 mg daily dosage, as a "Red Flag" (dangerous situation).

- Could understand the rationale by Dr. Clendenning to prescribe amitriptyline as it was much cheaper than SSRIs and that K. Rogers was stockpiling because of fear over loss of drug card.

- Dosage guidelines for amitriptyline are a maximum of 150 - 200 mg a day for out patient and 300 mg a day for in patient (in hospital).

- She would not use amitriptyline to treat depression.

- Testified that it in her opinion, it was possible it was an unintentional suicide given Ms. Rogers' tendency to self-medicate.

Barbara Anello
Ontario Social Safety Network (OSSN)