The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder here in Vermont. It’s a good time to gather with your family, friends, and community. As we enter the winter holiday season, it’s also a good time to make a plan to keep kids and teens safe by securing adult-use substances in your home and at gatherings.
Safe Storage Bags and Lockboxes
These lockable containers can be used by anyone to store medications or other potentially harmful substances, like cannabis or edibles. Safe storage of medications and substances is particularly important for anyone with young children or pets in the home. Use these containers, in addition to other safe storage practices like placing harmful substances on high shelves, behind closed doors, or in locked medicine cabinets.
You can order a free lock bag from VT Helplink or a free safe storage lockbox from the Vermont Department of Health.
ParentUpVT has some good starting tips on how to teen-proof your substance storage. Here are some more tips and resources:
Alcohol
Keep your alcoholic drinks secure and separate from non-alcoholic drinks and monitor access. Use our easy to read stickers to make it clear which coolers contain non-alcoholic drinks. Contact Coalition Coordinator Jessica at jessica@healthylamoillevalley.org for a Cooler Safety Sticker pack!
Cannabis/Marijuana
Cannabis is harmful for kids, teens, and pets. Be sure to keep your stash stored in a locked bag or box. Learn more about cannabis safety and health risks for children and youth at the VT Dept of Health website.
All parents and caregivers need to know the signs of cannabis ingestion in children, including sleepiness, dizziness, agitation, confusion, problems with coordination, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and slurred speech. If your child is unconscious or having trouble breathing, walking, or sitting up, dial 9-1-1. If you suspect accidental ingestion of cannabis, call your child or teen’s medical provider right away, or contact the Northern New England Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 or text POISON to 85511.
Prescription Drugs
Keep prescription drugs out of reach of kids and teens to prevent misuse which can harm their health and developing brains. You can order a free lock bag from VT Helplink or a safe storage lockbox from the Vermont Department of Health.
Proper disposal of prescription drugs protects waterways, wildlife, and pets too.
Visit any of these year-round prescription drug drop off boxes at your convenience. See specific locations for drop-box hours:
- Copley Hospital, Morrisville, (802) 888-8888
- Cambridge Kinney Drugs, (802) 644-8811
- Hardwick Police Department, (802) 472-5475
- Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department, Hyde Park, (802) 888-5244
- Morristown Police Department, (802) 888-4211
- CVS, Morrisville, (802) 888-4239
- Stowe Police Department, (802) 253-7126
You can also request a free mail back envelope from the Vermont Department of Health or pick one up at your local doctor’s office. Learn more about prescription drug disposal at the VT Dept of Health website.