How and Where Should I Store Prescription Painkillers?
Do you store your prescription opioids (or narcotics) and other medications in the medicine cabinet in your bathroom? You’re not alone – it is a common practice; however, storing your medications in an easily accessible place means they are available for children, teens, caretakers or others to find and misuse.
Store Them Out of Sight!
Keeping your prescription painkillers secure and out of sight can prevent them from falling into the hands of someone who wants to misuse them. It can also prevent someone in your house from accidentally taking the wrong medication. When there are children and teens in the house, it is best to keep them out of sight and out of reach.
Lock Them Up!
Storing your prescription painkillers and other medications in a lockbox, safe, or locked medicine cabinet is one of the most effective ways to prevent misuse or accidental use. Many companies offer lockable medication storage options.
Safely Dispose of Them!
Unused medications are a disaster waiting to be found. In 2017, nearly 60% of opioid-related poisoning deaths in Florida involved a prescription opioid. That’s why it is vital to safely dispose of unneeded and expired prescriptions. There are safe Drug Take Back disposal sites available throughout the State of Florida. See the Drug Take Back page for an interactive tool to find a disposal location near you.
Materials
Download and post or distribute the free Dose of Reality informational and educational materials for safe storage, designed for you to use in spreading the word within your family, friends, and communities.
