Help available for keeping unused drugs out of hands of children

Two-thirds of teens who report abuse of prescription medicine are getting them from friends, family and acquaintances. The South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition (DFC) wants to prevent this and keep drugs out of kid's hands by reminding residents to safeguard their home, so others don’t have access to your medicine.

They have two ways to help, one is safeguarding and the other is disposal of unused medication. The group has free locking bags for community members to use to lock up their drugs so young children or teens won't have easy access. The DFC got a grant from Barton Health to purchase the bags and distribute throughout the South Shore. They have some left and can be obtained from DFC Project Coordinator Kelsey Magoon at her office inside Tahoe Youth and Family Services at 1021 Fremont Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. Her number is (530)541-2445 and email kmagoon@Tahoeyouth.org.

The DFC is also teaming with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) in a "Drug Take Back Day" at Earth Day which is being held at Bijou Park on Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Everyone can bring in unused prescriptions (pills only) for disposal so they don't end up in the wrong hands. If unable to attend there is a disposal box inside the SLTPD lobby as well as in the lobby of the Douglas County Sheriff's office at Stateline, Nevada.

Magoon will also have the locking medicine bags at Earth Day.

1,756 teens will abuse a prescription drug for the first time each day in the United States according to the Partnership for Drug Free Kids. They suggest to use their three steps to find out how to monitor, secure and properly dispose of unused and expired prescription drugs and over-the-counter cough medicine in your home:

1. Monitor the drugs in your home: Take note of how many pills are in each of your prescription bottles and keep track of refills.
2. Secure: Secure your prescriptions in a locked cabinet that your child cannot access. Get a free locking bag from the South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition if your cabinet cannot lock.
3. Dispose: Safely dispose of expired and unused prescriptions at a take-back location. The South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition can help with this at their event as well.

For more on helping keep South Lake Tahoe children drug free, visit the DFC website at bedrugsafe.com.