RX STORAGE & DISPOSAL
Safe storage and proper disposal of opioids are essential practices to prevent misuse and accidental harm. This page will cover storage options and disposal options.
Safe Storage
Safe storage of opioid medications helps prevent accidental overdoses and misuse. Properly securing these medications reduces the risk of them falling into the hands of children or individuals who might misuse them. Here are some possible
lock-box storage options below.
.png)
Safe Storage at Home
Think about your home.
What prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs do you have? Where are they kept? Would you know if some were missing? You can take steps immediately to limit access and monitor use in your home.
​
SECURE
MONITOR
-
Control access to medications in your home.
-
Keep in a secure location that is not easily accessible by children, family members or visitors to your home.
-
Ask friends and family, especially grandparents, to safeguard their medications as well.
-
Monitor quantities. Take note of how many pills in bottle/packet; keep track of refills.
-
Set clear rules with children/youth about all drug use, including not sharing medication and always following their medical provider's advise and dosage.
-
Be a good role model by following these same rules with your own medications.
Safe Disposal
DO:
-
properly dispose of old and unneeded medications​
-
use deactivator bag
-
bring medications to local drop off boxes
DON'T:
​​
-
flush medicine down the toilet
-
pour it down the drain
-
toss it in the trash without drug deactivator bag​
Safe Disposal
WHY?
Disposing medications the right way might take a little extra time, but it’s important for our environment and health. Throwing away, draining, and flushing old or unused medicine can end up in our lakes, rivers, and drinking water.
Water treatment systems can’t remove all the chemicals from these drugs. This can hurt the environment and make the water unsafe. Even septic systems can leak medicine into the ground, which can pollute groundwater.
Local Prescription Disposal Drop-Off Locations
.png)
​Wasatch County Sheriff's Department
Lee's Marketplace
Heber City
Police Station
Disposal at Home
What it is:
​
A drug deactivator bag (also called a medication disposal pouch or deactivation pouch) is a safe and easy-to-use tool for getting rid of unwanted or expired medications at home.
How to Use:
1. Put the medicine in the bag (pills, capsules, or liquids).
2. Add warm water.
3. Seal the bag and gently shake it.
4.Throw the sealed bag in the trash.
