Experts warn of ‘disastrous’ risks from old meds in Oklahoma homes

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals more than 36,000 children under the age of five ended up in emergency rooms after getting into medications they weren’t supposed to take.

Local experts say many of those visits could have been prevented with safer storage or by properly discarding old prescriptions.

Old Meds Pose Risks to Kids, Pets

Melody Abraham, pharmacy director at Parkside Psychiatric Hospital in Tulsa, says medications left unattended in drawers or cabinets are often within reach of children or pets.

“The children and pets — if they get into it, it can be disastrous for them,” Abraham said. “What might be an adult dose for a child can be toxic.”

She recommends that any unused, expired, or unneeded medication be disposed of safely, especially before it falls into the wrong hands or paws.

Don’t Flush or Toss Pills, City Warns

The City of Tulsa warns against flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash.

Most wastewater treatment systems aren’t designed to filter pharmaceutical chemicals, meaning trace amounts of drugs can contaminate local streams and harm aquatic wildlife.

Instead, experts recommend using authorized drop-off locations or participating in Drug Takeback Day.

Talking to Kids About Medication Safety

Abraham also encourages families to talk with children about the dangers of misusing medicine, especially if it’s not prescribed to them.

“If you are on those medications yourself, that’s a good starting point,” she said. “Talk to them about why you have what you have. It may not be opioids — it can be blood pressure medication or antibiotics. Some of those, if kept too long or taken incorrectly, can actually make you sick.”

What to Do in a Medication Emergency

If someone takes medication not meant for them, Abraham urges families to call 911 or poison control immediately. In some cases, emergency treatment may be needed to remove the drug from their system.

How to Safely Get Rid of Old Medication

The next DEA Drug Takeback Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 26. Residents can drop off old prescriptions at designated collection sites throughout the area. There are several drop-off locations in the Tulsa area, including:

1. The Walgreens at E Pine and N Lewis
2. Elks Lodge at S Harvard and E 54th
3. The Walgreens off W Main and S Elm in Jenks
4. The Walmart off E 31st and S Garnett
5. The Tulsa Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic