Medications
Safe Storage & Disposal
Misconceptions:
Children and teens often perceive prescription drugs to be safe because they are legal medications that parents are commonly seen using. However, medications are to be taken as prescribed and only by the person who received the prescription from a doctor. Opiates do not work the same way for everyone and can lead to serious health problems or accidental death. Only one in five Americans consider prescription pain medication to be a serious safety threat. (NSC, 2015).
New Concern: Counterfeit pills
Counterfeit pills that are designed to look almost identical to legitimate medications are increasing in availability. Any pill purchased on the streets or obtained without a prescription, are dangerous! Pills disguised to look like medications such as Xanax are being pressed with fentanyl. Dosing is also imprecise, no two pills will be the same.
Talk to your family and make sure they understand medications are only to be taken as prescribed by the person they are prescribed for. If you need a medication, talk to your doctor and obtain them the right way.
For more information on counterfeit pills; visit the CT Prevention Network’s new website YouthinkyouknowCT.org
TIP:
Do not flush medications down the toilet! Flushing medications causes water pollution, negatively impacting our drinking water & environment.
Most local police stations have medication drop boxes in their front lobby where you can drop off any unneeded medications year round. The boxes are safe, easy, and all drop offs are confidential, no questions asked.
Accessible daily, however, due to COVID we recommend calling ahead to confirm they are still open to the public.*
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a bi-annual event that allows residents across the U.S. to safely dispose of any unneeded or expired medications. Pop up locations are available across the state typically on the last Saturday in April & October from 10AM-2PM where you can safely and conveniently drop off medications, no questions asked.
Next event: Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 10AM-2PM
Locations:
- Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, 428 Columbus Avenue, New Haven
- High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Road, Orange
- North Haven Fire Headquarters, 11 Broadway, North Haven