Opioid Misuse Prevention
Program Summary: This program includes medication disposal, opioid pain management, prevention of illicit drug use, and access to Narcan.
What Are Opioids? - Prescription opioids are powerful pain-reducing medicines that include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and others. Doctors prescribe opioids after surgeries and for injuries; however, these medicines can have serious risks if they are misused by accident or on purpose. If you witness an opioid overdose, call 911.
Share Your Wisdom, Not Your Meds
- Store Medications in a safe and secure place.
- Safely dispose of unused and expired medicine at a Howard County Police Station.
- Learn about Naloxone to save a life.
- Consider Buprenorphine as a treatment option for opioid misuse.
Campaigns
Prescription opioid misuse is one of the most common types of illegal drug use in the United States. Many people who misused prescription pain-reducing medicine said that they got it from a friend or relative.
MONITOR
Parents are in an influential position to immediately help reduce access to prescription medicine because it is commonly found in the home. But how aware are you of the quantities that are currently in your home? Think about this: Would you know if some of your pills were missing? From this day forward, make sure you can honestly answer yes.
SECURE
Take prescription medicine out of the medicine cabinet and secure them in a place only you know about. If possible, keep all medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, in a safe place, such as a locked cabinet that cannot be accessed. Spread the word to other households and encourage them to secure their prescriptions as well.
DISPOSE
Safely disposing of expired or unused medicine (including pet medications) is a critical step in helping to protect your family and home, and decrease the opportunity for anyone to abuse your medicine.
Medication Disposal Boxes in Howard County
- Northern Police District Station, 3410 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, 21043
- Southern District Station, 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel, 20723
- Gary Arthur Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, 21723 (Call the Center to confirm if accepting medication.)
- Community Outreach Building, 10741 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, 21044.
For additional medication disposal locations, visit the Google Earth Safe Drug Disposal website.
Use Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal Bags to safely destroy unused medications at home. You can pick up your FREE Deterrra bag at the Health Department front desk Monday through Friday from 8:30a-4:30p or stop by our Behavioral Health van in the parking lot on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 10:00a-2:00p. Detera bags are also available at our North Laurel Community Center location on Mondays and Wednesday from 10:00a - 2:00p
Call 410-313-6202 for questions or more information.
For more information about safe storage and disposal of medicine, click here.
Campaign Materials:
For Sharps and Needles, the Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services recommends the following: Place used (or unused) needles in an empty plastic bottle (ex. detergent bottle) to protect the trash collection crew. When the bottle is full, add the cap and put the bottle in your trash. Your local pharmacy may also offer disposal or exchange services.
For more detailed information, view their Medication & Sharps flier here.
Maryland's Good Samaritan Law Protects You! If you witness an overdose, CALL 911. Those who call 911 or help in a medical emergency are protected. Parole or probation status are not affected.
You will not be arrested for:
- Possessing or using a controlled dangerous substance
- Possessing or using drug paraphernalia
- Providing alcohol to minors
*The law does not apply to open warrants or other crimes.
Signs of an overdose:
- Won't wake up
- Blue or purple lips and fingertips
- Pale or gray skin tone (color)
- Shallow, slow, or no breathing
Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the signs of a known or suspected opioid overdose. Naloxone is more commonly known as Narcan, which is the brand name for this medication. All Maryland-licensed pharmacists are authorized to dispense naloxone without a prescription. Click HERE to learn more about the Standing order for Naloxone in Maryland.
