How to Dispose of Prescription Drugs & Keep Them Out of the Wrong Hands

With the opioid epidemic devastating the United States and the city of Philly, more and more people have begun to abuse prescription drugs.

In order to try and prevent this from happening as well as to keep young children safe from accidentally ingesting these drugs, it is important that you know how to dispose of prescription drugs properly as well as how to store them in your home safely.

How to Keep & Dispose of Prescription Drugs Safely

Especially if you are living with someone who already went through a PHP or has a history of drug abuse, it is important that you keep your prescription drugs in a secure place. Even curious young children can get into these medications and the results can be devasting. Knowing how to dispose of prescription drugs safely can prevent accidents and abuse.

Keep medications in a locked cabinet or out of reach of young children
Keep the location of your prescriptions hidden to anyone who may be at risk of abuse
Educate young children on the dangers of taking unknown substances
Always keep prescription medications in their original bottles
Take the time to clean out your medicine cabinet for old drugs
Dispose of medication immediately once you no longer need it
Take inventory of your medicines if you suspect foul play
Do not throw the bottles in the trash
Some medications can be safely flushed down the toilet
Some medications can be crushed down into a powder and mixed with an unpalatable substance for easier disposal
Find a take-back event in your area
Find a safe drug disposal site

Prescription Drug Disposal Locations in Philadelphia

As an addiction treatment center in Philly, we do not want your prescription drugs to fall into the wrong hands. Instead of throwing them in the trash and having them taken, a drug disposal site offers locked boxes that are typically under surveillance as well. This is the best way to ensure that your medications are disposed of properly.

Below are some helpful resources to find Philadelphia prescription drug disposal sites so that you can get rid of your medications safely.

If someone you love is already abusing these drugs, it is important to try to get them help now before their problems get worse. Our prescription drug addiction treatment in Philadelphia helps people in the area get help for these addictions as well as other substance abuse problems so that they can regain control of their lives.

To learn more about our programs at Banyan Philadelphia as well as our facility, reach out to us today at 888-280-4763.

Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing

Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.