These lockboxes for household prescription and over-the-counter medicines are being distributed by Roots of Hope. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

reducing availability

Free lockboxes designed to limit access to personal medications

Aug 5, 2021 | 3:22 PM

The Saskatchewan Health Authority and Roots of Hope is looking to reduce the availability of medication in local households.

“The medication lockbox program is part of an overall medication safety storage campaign we’re doing,” said Roots of Hope coordinator Cathy Wheaton. “We’re wanting to make homes medication safe. We want to reduce access to any kind of medication in people’s household, so that anyone who shouldn’t have medication that can be harmful to them, or potential for abuse, is reduced as much as possible.”

Through the campaign, Wheaton has a limited number of medication lockboxes she’s wanting to distribute in the tri-communities, Grandmother’s Bay, Hall Lake, Stanley Mission and Sucker River. She is also willing to provide information on whether or not a lockbox would be suitable for those wanting one.

Wheaton explained it depends on the specific needs and the individual, but added lockboxes are good way to secure both prescription medicine and over-the-counter drugs.

“We do know that the harder it is in everyone’s home to get it, the chances are that is going to help,” she said.

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There are other ways to reduce the availability of medicine in households without a lockbox. For instance, residents can closely monitor their medication by the use of bubble packs.

Lockboxes are a way to safely store medication at home. (Facebook/Roots of Hope)

Wheaton also recommends buying only the amount of medication required instead of purchasing large bottles with higher pill counts.

“If you have any kind of medication in your home you are not using, dispose of it,” she said. “The safest way to dispose of it is to take it to the drug store or pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it for you. If you put it into the water system, all those chemicals get into the water system.”

Those wanting to know more about the lockbox program can reach Wheaton at 1-306-425-8561.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno