Empowering Adults to Safeguard Children: Lock Your Meds Initiative Ensures the Security of Prescription Medications
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Elizabeth Golshteyn | National Family Partnership
P: 305-856-4886 E: EGolshteyn@InformedFamilies.Org
The Lock Your Meds Initiative: A Universal Prevention Campaign
January 1st, 2023 – Miami, FL–In a startling revelation, 44.6% Americans aged 12 and above, have deliberately misused prescription drugs at least once in their lives which can originate from family and friends rather than strangers, drug dealers, or online sources.1 Addressing this urgent concern, the Lock Your Meds® campaign, led by the National Family Partnership and its affiliate Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership, emerges as a universal prevention initiative aimed at saving lives by curbing the alarming rise of prescription drug misuse, currently the fastest-growing substance misuse issue in America.
Recognizing the evolving nature of the drug problem, the Lock Your Meds® campaign advocates for new combat tactics. Disturbingly, parents and grandparents may unwittingly become suppliers of prescription medications to their own children. Leveraging a national network of supporters, including Community Impact North Carolina and Publix Pharmacy®, the initiative strives to educate the nation on safeguarding medications and assisting parents in implementing preventive measures for the protection of children and teens.
However, the mission of the Lock Your Meds® campaign doesn't conclude there. The initiative seeks to expand its impact by collaborating with parents, community groups, and healthcare organizations that are yet to be involved. The goal is to equip individuals with information and tools necessary to be the frontline defense against this growing epidemic.
Utilizing various mediums to convey its message, the Lock Your Meds® campaign makes these resources available for use in organizational efforts and within communities. Interested parties can access these valuable resources at www.LockYourMeds.Org.
Parents and guardians need not feel helpless in this battle; they can take proactive steps to ensure a drug-free future for their children:
Regularly inventory medications, tracking both prescribed and over-the-counter quantities.
Securely lock medications in a location inaccessible to children.
Engage in ongoing conversations with children about the dangers of misusing prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Join the Lock Your Meds® campaign to actively participate in the preventive efforts.
Consider purchasing a Vaultz® Lockbox for proper prescription medication storage at www.NFP.Org/Store.
Lock Your Meds.
Be Aware.
Don’t Share.
The Vaultz Medicine case is perfect for storing, organizing, and protecting your important medical supplies.
Knowledge is a powerful tool in saving lives. Over the past 25 years, the Lock Your Meds® campaign, with the support of various entities, has been at the forefront of sharing knowledge about drug prevention across the nation. Special gratitude is extended to Community Impact NC and Publix Pharmacy® for their generous support of the Lock Your Meds® campaign. The initiative looks forward to sustaining this support on a local level, providing resources, and amplifying a national voice for the cause.
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Source:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Calculated from (Figure 23 and Table A.9B).