InnerAct Alliance is proud to partner with Informed Families to promote safer, healthier homes through the "Lock Your Meds" campaign - help us make 2025 a year for safety and well-being.
Improper and unsecured medication storage can lead to accidental poisonings especially in homes with young children. Teen years bring additional challenges, as curiosity can lead to experimentation and potential misuse. Studies show that more than 3.1 million teen age 12-17 report misusing prescription drugs - the majority report obtaining the drugs from the medicine cabinets of family or friends.
Take steps to ensure that our children grow up drug free by taking responsibility to lock up all medication so it doesn't get into the wrong hands.
Secure Storage - invest in a lockable medicine box or cabinet as an effective way to keep medications out of the wrong hands.
Medication Inventory - check medications regularly and keep a log of all prescription and over-the-counter medication and expiration dates. This habit not only helps in managing health but also in preventing accidental misuse.
Safe Disposal - National Prescription Drug Take Back Days are held in the Spring and Fall months for citizens to drop off unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter human and pet medications for disposal in a safe and responsible manner, while educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. Our area's 2025 Take Back Days will take place on the last Saturday of the month in April and October at local law enforcement locations. Look for definite dates & locations to be announced soon!
Unwanted medications may also be taken to Polk County's permanent drop sites, funded by GiveWell Community Foundation at the police department locations in: Auburndale (weekdays 8am-5pm); Haines City (weekdays 8am-5pm); Lake Alfred (24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (weekdays 8am-5pm); Lakeland (24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (weekdays 8am-5pm). Only solids are accepted in permanent drop boxes (no liquids or syringes). To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.
The Community Impact - Safely securing medication helps reduce the risk of them falling into the hands of those who might misuse them, thus playing a part in the larger effort to combat prescription drug abuse in our communities.
There are many resources out there to help make your home safer. Visit Informed Families website for resources: https://www.informedfamilies.org/
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