Keep your child safe! Prescription medication, illicit drugs, and cannabis products left within reach of a young child can turn into an emergency quickly! Many prescription medications, illicit drugs, and cannabis products resemble candy, and it can be difficult for children (and even adults) to tell the difference. Parents and caregivers: prescription medications, illicit drugs, and cannabis products, including those in edible form, #UpAndAway and out of reach and sight of young children. https://upandaway.org/en/
Keep your child safe! Prescription medication, illicit drugs, and cannabis products left within reach of a young child can turn into an emergency quickly! Many prescription medications, illicit drugs, and cannabis products resemble candy, and it can be difficult for children (and even adults) to tell the difference. Parents and caregivers: prescription medications, illicit drugs, and cannabis products, including those in edible form, #UpAndAway and out of reach and sight of young children. https://upandaway.org/en/
Out of Reach Delaware Campaign www.outofreachde.com
If you believe your child has accidently ingested a drug, medication, or cannabis product and is in need of medical attention call 9-1-1.
If you believe your child has accidently ingested a drug, medication, or supplement and they are not in need of immediate medical attention contact Poison Control.
Keep the Poison Help number handy, just in case: 1-800-222-1222.
Everyday children present to emergency rooms nationwide after ingesting prescription medication, illicit drugs, and cannabis products not meant for them. These ingestions often occur when a parent or caregiver is present in the home. All children are curious, and they can easily access prescription medication, illicit drugs, and cannabis products when they are left out in the open or stored in an unlocked location. Safely storing drugs can save a child’s life.
Unintentional exposures to cannabis edibles in children are becoming increasingly common in the U.S. When children eat cannabis edibles, serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur. Children are naturally attracted to tasty items such as candies and baked goods, as many edible cannabis products resemble these. Cannabis edibles can be in packaging that is remarkably similar to snack foods that are popular among children. According to American Academy of Pediatrics, from 2017-2021 there was an increase of 1375.0% in reported edible cannabis exposures.
The New Castle County Division of Police has seen a significant increase in child ingestion cases since 2021. With the goal to protect Delaware’s children, The New Castle County Division of Police Special Victim’s Unit and Behavioral Health Unit has partnered with the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) and Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families (DSYCF) to educate, combat child ingestion cases, and provide free safe storage medication lockboxes to New Castle County residents.
TIPS for Safe Drug Storage:
- Put it up, not down
Prescription, illicit drugs, and cannabis products should be put away, right away after you use them or bring them into the house.
- No container is child proof
Keep prescription, illicit drugs, and cannabis products in their original containers and utilize a lockbox for extra safety.
- Teach Others!
Make sure everyone follows the safe storage rules. Teach everyone visiting your home where and how you safely store prescription, illicit drugs, and cannabis products.
Out of Reach Delaware Campaign www.outofreachde.com
Take Care Delaware (Protect, Heal, Thrive) https://takecaredelaware.org/
Up & Away- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://upandaway.org/en/
For information regarding free lockbox availability please contact NCCPD Behavioral Health Unit (302) 395-2811 or email HeroHelp@newcastlede.gov.
