Safe Storage and Disposal

To best prevent misuse and abuse of opioids, it’s critical to safely store opioids and then dispose of any unused prescriptions immediately. 
 
Here are some helpful tips for both:
 

Safe Storage of Opioids

 
Do’s

• Secure your prescriptions in the same way you would other valuables
• Keep medicine in a cool, dry place that is out of the reach of children
• Store medicine in its original container- the label on the bottle provides important information about the medicine
• Monitor how many pills are in each of your prescription bottles

 
Don’ts

• Leave medicine in places that are easily accessible to children or pets
• Take medicine in front of children who often mimic adults

 

Safe Disposal of Opioids

 

• Check for medication “take back” programs with your local police, fire department or DEA-authorized collection site such as a pharmacy
• Unless otherwise instructed, do not flush medications down the toilet
• Mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter and discard in an empty bag in your household trash
• Scratch out all personal information on prescription labels from the empty pill bottles before discarding them

   
Facts & Questions

Opioid Resource Overview