You might be aware of the opiate problem we are experiencing in Vermont, and wondering what, if anything, can you do about it. 4 out of 10 teens who have misused a prescription drug report getting it from their parents’ medicine cabinets.

You can do something about it by:

• Securing and properly storing your medications.
• Talking to your children about the importance of not using someone else’s prescriptions.
• Properly disposing of your unused and expired medications.

April 26, 2014 is National Drug Take-Back Day. Dea.gov has more information and lists drop-off sites nearest you (in South Burlington, it is the South Burlington Police Department at the UMall.) This is for pills and capsules only.

Proper disposal also helps keep these substances out of the water supply!

The Winooski Coalition for a Safe and Peaceful Community, Milton Community Youth Coalition, Essex CHIPS, Connecting Youth, and Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community are working together to help raise awareness about this issue and important step in preventing future misuse.