How You Can Help

If you want to help prevent opioid overdoses, these are some individual ways that you can help.

  • Safely Store Medications​
    • Keep medications out of reach of children. To prevent accidental ingestion, keep medications out of reach of children. More information about safe storage can be found at https://www.upandaway.org/​
    • Get a medication lock box. Medication lock boxes can provide additional security. Thi​nk about getting one, especially if you live in a communal space, such as a dorm. These can be found at https://medicinesafe.com/​ and other vendors.
  • Get rid of unused, unwanted, or expired medications. 
    •  Find a disposal site. Sites to drop off unwanted/unused medications can be found here.
    •  Dispose at home. You can dispose of medications in your household trash, but there are a few things you need to know first. The simple steps for at home disposal can be found at here.
  • Use medications properly.
    • Don’t share medications. There’s a reason certain medications need to be carefully prescribed by physicians.  If something was prescribed to you, that means it’s for you only. 
    • Talk to your doctor. Always talk to your doctor about any other medications you are taking. Certain combinations of drugs(like opioids and benzodiazapines) can be more dangerous.
  • Get Involved. 
    • Get trained to use NARCAN®.  It’s quick, anyone can get trained, and it means you can save a life. SCCOOPP will provide you with a free kit and training, find out how here​.
    • Join SCCOOPP. Join our team and find out how you can help!​​

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