We all want to feel safe in our own homes and to protect our loved ones from harm, whether it’s by installing smoke detectors, baby gates, or fire extinguishers to provide safety and security.
But we can all take one more step to protect our friends and family, and that’s by keeping them away from medications that are not meant for them. Fortunately, it’s easy to do and could save their lives or prevent them from becoming hooked on substances. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here’s what you can do:
Store your medication safely:
- Location: Medication should be stored in a locked cabinet or lock box or locked pouch to keep it out of reach of kids, teens, and adults.
- Original Containers: Keep medication in their original containers with labels intact to make sure you’re taking it as intended.
- Regular Inventory: Make sure you have the right amount and nothing is missing.
Get rid of your unwanted medication:
- Drug Take-Back Days: Participate in National Drug Take-Back Day (October 26), which provides a safe, convenient way to dispose of unused and unwanted medication.
- Permanent Drug Drop Boxes: Prescription and over-the-counter medications can be disposed of in a permanent drop box, which you can find in most pharmacies. Go to takebackmymeds.com for a map of locations in Milwaukee.
- Deactivation Products: Deactivation pouches can be used to destroy medication you don’t want anymore. Just follow the simple steps and toss the whole kit in the garbage.
Now that you know how you can keep your family safe, how do you make it happen? Again, it’s easy. There are Harm Reduction Vending Machines located around Milwaukee County with these supplies, and they are free and available without questions. You can find the map of Harm Reduction Vending Machine locations on the county’s website at county.milwaukee.gov. One of the locations is Community Advocates’ downtown offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, where anyone can access the items during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
