Education
Explore the Data
The Opioid Dashboard is updated periodically throughout the year and features summary statistics and data about emergency room visits, overdose deaths, naloxone statistics, and neonatal abstinence syndrome, as well as related data publications and resources:
Report to the Alaska Legislature
Action Plan
Safe Medication Storage
Never share your prescribed medications. Even over-the-counter medications can be dangerous and should be securely stored away from children, pets, and others. Medications such as opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines are particularly high risk because they have known harmful effects. They can be misused or accidentally taken by others. Keeping opioids in the home is associated with an increased risk that household members will experience an overdose. Be sure to get rid of your medications as soon as you’re done using them.
Need Medication Disposal Bags?
Fill out the
medication disposal bag request form and send it to
ProjectHOPE@alaska.gov.
How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications
The best way to get rid of unused medications is to take them to your local pharmacy. Most pharmacies have special drop-off containers for old or unused medicines, and you can do this for free. If your pharmacy doesn't have this, you can look up places near you online that accept medications.
If you can't find a place to take them, the
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has instructions for getting rid of medications safely. Some medications should be flushed down the toilet, while others should be taken out of the bottle and mixed with trash. To prevent people from stealing or misusing pills, don't throw away bottles that still have medicine in them.
For medications that use needles or lancets, like insulin shots or blood tests, these should go into a sharps container. Once the container is about three-quarters full, follow directions for safely disposing of it. If you're unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.