Medication Safety
Proper storage and disposal of prescription medications helps prevent misuse and abuse. Recent trends indicate that teens and young adults are increasingly misusing prescription drugs or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. In fact, prescription medicines have become the most commonly abused drugs among 12- to 13-year-olds.
We can all help prevent medicine abuse with a few simple actions:
• Talk with your teen or young adult. Children who learn the risks from parents are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs than those who don’t get these critical messages at home.
• Safeguard your medicine. Keep your medications locked up, and count and monitor the pills you have.
• Properly dispose of unused medication.
There are three permanent, 24-hour, drop-off locations in Kent County:
Kent County Sheriff’s Department
104 Vickers Drive Unit B, Chestertown
Rock Hall Police Department
5885 N. Main St., Rock Hall
Chestertown Police Department
601 High St, Chestertown
If you’re unable to get to a disposal location, we offer free Deterra bags. Deterra bags safely deactivate medications for at-home disposal. Call Annette Duckery, Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention Coordinator for Kent County Health Department, at 410-778-7918 for bags, or for other information and resources. If you suspect accidental poisoning, always call 911.