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What's in Your Medicine Cabinet?
Medications are a common part of our lives. We get a prescription from the doctor or we “self-medicate” using over-the-counter drugs. Children and youth see adults taking medications and understandably think that pills make you feel better or that they can’t be harmful because the doctor prescribed them, but this is not true.
Many prescription drugs are very powerful and even addictive. When taken as prescribed, they can improve our health. But, they are a risk if used improperly.
Keep your prescription medications safe. |
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One prescription drug that is making headlines because of the harm that it can cause is opioids. Opioids are a type of drug used mainly for the treatment of pain. Codeine, percocet, oxycodone and morphine are opioids. Taking opioids other than as prescribed or using them to get high is very risky, and adding alcohol or other sedatives to the mix is even more dangerous. Overdoses and deaths involving prescription opioids are a serious concern. There are nearly three deaths per week in Ontario due to drug overdoses. The easiest place to find prescription drugs is in the homes of their friends or family in places like a medicine cabinet, cupboard, purse or nightstand. Take control of your prescription drugs to prevent misuse and even save a life.
- Store medications in a safe place and keep track of how many you have. Keep them where others can’t easily find them so they can’t be used by anyone else.
- Never share your prescriptions with anyone.
- Learn about prescription drugs that are sometimes used to get high, for example, painkillers, sedatives and sleeping pills, so that you can take extra care to keep them away from others.
- Review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what you no longer need.
- Dispose of unused or expired medicines safely by bringing them to a pharmacy. Don’t throw them in the garbage or flush them down the toilet.
- Talk openly with your family about medications prescribed for members in your household and what can happen if they are misused.
- Take medications responsibly by following the directions and warnings provided with your medication.
- Supervise young children when they need to take medications.