Medication Storage and Disposal

child

Background

Medications that are not stored properly at home increases the risk of accidential injures.  Households with young children and teenagers are especially at risk.  Medications include prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, supplements, and cannabis edibles or "gummies".

Improper disposal of medications harms the environment, drinking water supplies, recreational waters and aquatic life. 


Kids and Teenagers

Medicines can be fatal for infants and young children, even in small doses. 

Teenagers can make poor choices experimenting with common medicines  such as opioid painkillers (Ocycontin, Valium, fentanyl), benzodiazapines (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin) and stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin). that can lead to addiction, overdose, or death.  According to a study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA),  almost half of teens reported that it is easy to get prescription medications from their parents medicine cabinet.  


Tips for Safe Storage of Medications

  • Keep prescription medications in their original containers
  • Store prescription medications in a locked cabinet, closet, drawer or safe.  There are also medication lock boxes or pouches that are portable and secured with a key or combination.  

lock pouch

  • Discard any expired, unused or unwanted medications (see below)

Tips for Safe Disposal of Medications

 Go through medicine supplies ar home and remove any that are expired or no longer used.  NEVER dispose of medications by flushing them down the toilet or pouring down the drain.  Medications can end up in the water supply and contaminate drinking water or harm aquatic wildlife.


There are several options to safely dispose of medicine:

med box 2

1. Discard unwanted medications at a local Medication Drop Box:

  • Search for a local drop box.
  • There is a Medication Drop box located at the Middletown Police Lobby, 222 Main Street Safely Dispose of Medications Brochure
    • Items accepted: prescription medications, ointmentrs, liquids, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and pet medications.
    • Items NOT accepted: Illegal drugs, sharps, hydrogen peroxide, thermometers, medications from businesses, areosol cans.

2. DEA National Rx Take Back Days


National Rx Take Back days are when law enforcement agencies set up temporary drug disposal collection sites.  These typically occur in April and October.  Click here to learn more about events in our area: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday

3. Discard medications at home using a Drug Deactivation Pouch:


DETERRA 1


How -to-Use Video

Video on How to Use Deterra Drug Deactivation System

Free drug deactivation pouches can be found at the following locations:

4.  Mail-Back Medication Programs


Medication mail-back programs are a safe, convenient, and anonymous way to dispose of unwanted or expired medications.  Mail-back envelopes are prepaid and pre-addressed to a secure and environmentally friendly disposal facilitity


For a limited time, Middletown residents can request FREE medication storage and disposal supplies.  We have Deterra Drug Deactivation Bags, Mail-Back Meds envelopes, and Medication Lockbags.

ORDER SUPPLIES HERE