Opioid and Prescription Drug Prevention

Steps to help prevent prescription and over-the-counter drug misuse

Follow these tips to do your part.

Safeguard all drugs at home: Monitor quantities and control access. Take note of how many pills are in a bottle or pill packet, and keep track of refills.

Set clear rules: Make sure the teens in your home understand these important rules about prescription and over-the-counter drug use.

• Never use medicine not prescribed for you
• Never share medicines prescribed for you with others
• Always follow your health care provider’s advice and dosages
• Properly dispose of any unused or expired drugs

Learn more about safe drug disposal

Be a role model: Always follow these same rules with your own medicines.   

Talk about the dangers:

• Tell friends and family about the importance of safeguarding and disposing of their prescription drugs safely.
• Dispel the myth that opioids and prescription drugs are safer than illicit drugs.
• Let other parents know they can have an impact on reducing opioid and prescription drug misuse.
• Talk to teens and young adults about the dangers of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Emphasize that these are powerful drugs which can be just as dangerous as street drugs if misused.

Learn about safe drug disposal