Learn more about opioids and prescription drugs.
The “Guard and Discard” campaign was developed by the Illinois Dept. of Human Services to create education and awareness around safe ways to use, store, and discard prescription medication and other drugs.
In 2016 more than 150,000,000 retail Rx drugs were filled by Illinois pharmacies.
In 2015, 12.5 million people nationwide used prescription opioids for non-medical use.
In Illinois, it is estimated more than 300,000 people misuse/ are dependent on opioids.
Pharmaceuticals also enter underground aquifers that supply 40% of the water supply in the US.
71% of those who start to misuse Rx drugs get them from their family or friends for free or without asking.
In Illinois, out of all the drug overdose deaths in 2016, 80% involved opioids.
Do not dispose off medication in the garbage cans or down the toilet. Medicines pollute the environment they are released in.
Sharing medication or using it without following instructions can be extremely harmful, cause accidental overdose, poisoning, and addiction.
Always store medicines and hazardous substances up, away, and out of sight of children. Preferably in a locked box or cabinet.
You can always return or dispose off unused prescription medication at police station, doctors office, pharmacy, and other registered sites.
