HOW TO STORE DRUGS SAFELY AT HOME
If you are going to keep drugs at home, there are some simple steps that you should take to keep everyone safe.
Prescription medications
Unused prescribed medication that you no longer need should be returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Don’t keep large quantities of medication stockpiled at home. It is an offence to have out of date controlled drug prescribed medication (such as methadone or Buprenorphine) stored at home and this could lead to police prosecution.
Injecting substances
If you are injecting a substance make sure to use a Sharps Bin (available free from the Harbour safer injecting service). Put any used injecting equipment into the Sharps Bin straight away and ensure that the sharps bin is safely stowed away. If other people are injecting around you, encourage them to also put their equipment into the sharps bin too. Click here for more information on how to inject drugs safely.
Keeping others safe
If you have children or teenagers at home, make sure you read our information on Keeping Children Safe Around Drugs.
It’s not only humans that can be affected. Illicit drugs, medications and alcohol substances can also harm and kill pets. Remember pets such as puppies are naturally curious and pill packets and medication bottles will appear like toys to them.
WHAT NEXT?
When possible, it’s important that you take the right steps to ensure that drugs are stored safely, and away from children and pets. This is a good first step to addressing your drug use. And if you’re ready to cut down or quit, Harbour can help you do that.
