Prescription drug overdose can be prevented by following promising and/or evidence based recommendations for the safe use, storage, and disposal of medications. Remember to program emergency numbers, such as the Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222), into your phone to call in the event of a poisoning or overdose emergency or dial 9-1-1.
Safe Use
Tell your healthcare provider about all your medication.
Never share your prescription medications with anyone.
Never take prescription medication that is not prescribed for you.
Never take your prescription medications more often or in higher doses than prescribed.
Never drink alcoholic beverages while taking prescription pain medications.
Taking prescription pain medications with other depressants such as sleep aids, anti-anxiety medications, or cold medicine can be dangerous.
Properly dispose of all unused and expired prescription medications.
Safe Storage
Store prescription medications out of reach of kids, family, and guests.
Know where your prescription medications are at all times.
Keep prescription pills in the original bottles with the labels attached, and with the child-resistant cap secured.
Keep track of how many prescription pills are in your bottle so you are immediately aware if any are missing.
Dispose of all unused and expired prescription medications properly. Proper storage and disposal of all medications is essential to health and safety.”
In Connecticut, there are designated areas Drop box disposal areas for safe disposal of medications. Community members looking to dispose of their unused medication are only required to leave their medication in its original bottle and black out their names with a permanent black marker.
Safe Disposal at Home
Do not flush, do not pour!
Take prescription drugs out of original containers.
Crush and mix all unused drugs with an undesirable substance such at used (wet) coffee grounds, moist unused cat litter, or spoiled food.
Throw container in the trash can on the same day the trash is collected. This extra safety measure can help prevent accidental overdose by children and pets.
Conceal, remove, and destroy ALL identifying personal information (prescription label) from all medication containers before recycling them or throwing them away.
For more information, please call
The Office of Injury and Violence Prevention
(860) 509-8251