Prevent Rx Drug Abuse
Do Your Part: Prevent Rx Drug Abuse
Unintentional poisonings are now the second leading cause of accidental deaths in North Carolina. The majority of these incidents are due to opioid and other prescription drug overdoses. Orange Partnership works with local agencies and organizations to increase safe use, storage and disposal of dangerous prescription medications. These practices help decrease the common perception that prescription medications are safer than illicit drugs and reduce access by those who might abuse or sell these substances.
The easiest way for teens to obtain prescription medications is from their parents’ or friends’ medicine cabinets.
What should you tell your child or teen about prescription medications?
- All medications have risks along with benefits. These risks increase dramatically when medications are abused.
- Rx medications can be just as dangerous as other types of drugs.
- Respect the power of medicine and only use it in the way a doctor prescribed it to you.
- Never share medications.
- Teach younger children that medicine and vitamins are not candy and should not be touched or taken except under adult supervision.
How do I keep my prescriptions safe?
- Keep prescription medications, especially pain relievers, in a secure, locked location.
- Contact Orange Partnership to request a free lock box. See below.
How do I dispose of my prescriptions?
- Do not flush or throw medications away in the trash.
- Unused, unwanted or expired medications should be taken to a Rx Drug Drop Box, available at all Orange County law enforcement agencies, as well as the county courthouse lobby.
- For a list of local drop boxes and what they will accept, visit www.orangecountync.gov/361/Prescription-Drug-Drop-Boxes
Resources for more information:
Prescription Drug Drop Box
Drug Drop Boxes are intended for liquid and pill medications that are expired, unused or unwanted.
Location:
Hillsborough Police Department Lobby
127 N. Churton Street
Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
Keep pills in original bottle or place in a sealable bag. Bags are available at the front desk.
Keep liquid medication in original container. Remove personal information from containers.
DO NOT drop loose pills.
What is Accepted?
- Expired and Unused Medications
- Over-the-County Medications
- Medication Samples
- Pet Medications
- Medicated Ointment/Lotion (in container)
- Liquid Medications (in container)
- Un-opened epi-pens
What is NOT Accepted?
- Needles/Lancets/Syringes/IV Bags
- Thermometers
- Bloody or Infectious Waste
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Empty Containers
- Personal Care Products (shampoo, etc…)
- Medical Waste
The alarming increase in prescription drug abuse has made their safe disposal more imperative than ever before.
According to the 2012 Monitoring the Future survey, prescription and over-the-counter drugs are among the most commonly abused drugs by 12th graders, after alcohol, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and tobacco. Although prescriptions drugs can be equally as dangerous and addictive as illegal drugs, they are much easier to obtain, often through a nearby medicine cabinet. People hold on to expired or unused medications for a variety of reasons and may not know how to safely dispose of them. Unfortunately, this results in large quantities of dangerous drugs that are easily accessible to others who may live in, visit, or in some cases, even break into a home. Safe disposal methods vary widely by drug and the Federal Drug Administration advises taking advantage of a local “take back” program, such as Hillsborough’s Prescription Drug Drop Box, as the best option.
