Safely Manage Medications to Protect Your Personal and Community Health
April 23, 2026.png)
Medications are often an essential part of healing from an illness or injury, and they can be critical to treating ongoing health conditions. Unfortunately, medications can also create dangerous and harmful situations if used incorrectly or disposed of improperly. That's why it’s so important to establish and maintain safe medication habits.
Medication Safety Best Practices
Unused prescription medications find their way into the wrong hands far too often, creating dangerous and tragic situations. According to findings from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report, more than 42% of people who misused pain relievers in the past year obtained them from a friend or relative in some way (i.e., being given them, buying them or taking them without asking). Here are some medication safety tips you can use to prevent drug misuse, abuse and diversion in the River Valley:
Use medications responsibly. Take medications only as prescribed by a provider, and never share your prescription medications with anyone. Here are some other helpful tips:
Always keep a current list of your medications, including ones you only take on occasion. Share your list with close family members and keep a copy in your wallet.
Include the medication name, dose, how often you take it, the method for taking it (by mouth, injection, etc.) and the reason for taking it.
Don’t forget to include over-the-counter drugs, herbals, vitamins and dietary supplements.
Include any allergies, the names and phone numbers of your providers and your preferred pharmacy.
Reach out to your provider or pharmacist if you have questions about side effects or drug interactions with your medications.
Ensure proper storage. Always lock the cap on medication bottles, and keep your medicines in a safe and secure location out of the reach of children and out of sight from friends and visitors. Each year, thousands of emergency department visits result from unintentional medication overdoses among children under the age of 5 years, and many people who misuse pain medications obtain them illegally from others.
Safely dispose of unused or expired medications. Never throw your medications in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Discarded medications can be easily retrieved and abused or illegally sold, and medicines flushed down the toilet can contaminate the community water supply. Safely dispose of your unused and expired medications to help prevent accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse, while promoting a healthy environment for your family and neighbors.
This emphasis on safe disposal and responsible medication use reflects Saint Mary’s broader commitment to medication safety in our community, including participation in the Billion Pill Pledge, a national initiative led by Goldfinch Health aimed at reducing unused prescription medications. Through safer prescribing practices, patient education and encouraging proper medication disposal, initiatives like the Billion Pill Pledge help limit opportunities for misuse and diversion—protecting patients, families and the River Valley community.
Find a Medication Drop Box or Take-Back Program Near You
Medication drop boxes are a convenient, free and anonymous way to safely dispose of your unused and expired medications. Click here to find year-round drop boxes near you. These locations make it easy to drop off any medications that are gathering dust in your medicine cabinet. By properly disposing of them, you are helping to make your home and community healthier.
Additionally, Saturday, April 25, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Pope County EMS will accept unwanted prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pope County EMS Central Station, 1850 N. Arkansas Ave. in Russellville.
If you would like more information on prescription drug use, visit www.DEA.gov, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.JustThinkTwice.com.
If you would like more information about safe medication use, visit http://consumermedsafety.org/.