SUBJECT: Medication Safety and Storage

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Unintentional poisonings continue to represent a significant public health concern in Canada, with poison control centres handling approximately 200,000 calls each year, one third of which involve children under the age of five. Among children and youth, the most common substances implicated include over-the-counter pain medications, prescription opioids, antidepressants, stimulants, cannabis, and alcohol (Canadian Association for Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicology, 2022). Of particular concern is the rising trend of non-medical prescription medication use among Ontario adolescents: 22% of students in grades 7–12 report non-medical opioid use in the past year, while 10% report non-medical use of over-the-counter medications (Boak & Hamilton, 2024). Risk perception remains low, with 14% of youth perceiving little to no risk associated with non-medical prescription drug use (Health Canada, 2025). In Windsor-Essex County, youth who use pain medication without a prescription are more likely to report lower self-rated physical health, less sleep, and poor ability to cope (WECHU, 2026). Unsafe medication storage further exacerbates this risk, as 85% of households do not keep medications locked (Talk Substance, n.d.), and 67% of youth who used opioids non-medically report accessing them from their own home (CAMH, n.d.). Collectively, these data underscore the critical need for enhanced youth education, stronger caregiver engagement, and consistent safe-storage messaging, central objectives of the Medication Safety workplan.

DISCUSSION 

The WECHU Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Department is working with schools and other community organization to support medication safety, including youth education, school-based supports, and parent and caregiver resources. 

Youth Education

An interactive youth‑focused presentation titled “Substance Use Spotlight: Prescription and Over the Counter Medication” has been developed to support medication safety education among teenagers. The presentation addresses key concepts related to substance use and medication safety, including:

• Substance use fundamentals 
• Health Effects of opioids, stimulants, and sedatives
• Risks of taking medication prescribed to others
• Medication safety best practices
• Stigma reduction
• Healthy coping strategies and community resources

Outreach has been conducted with several youth‑serving organizations to promote the presentation. To date, New Beginnings, Youth Wellness Hub, Trans Wellness Ontario, and LaSalle Hangout for Youth have expressed interest, and planning meetings are currently underway to coordinate delivery.

School‑Based Supports

A customized version of the presentation will support the Grade 7-10 Health and Physical Education curriculum. Collaboration between the Comprehensive Health Promotion and Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction departments will ensure it is user‑friendly and appropriate for classroom implementation. Once finalized, the presentation will be hosted on the Healthy Schools Opioid webpage. In addition, a template letter is being drafted for school nurses to support educator awareness and uptake of the resource.

Parent and Caregiver Resources

Two educational resources focused on safe medication storage and disposal have been developed:

• One resource for parents and caregivers of young children
• One resource for parents and caregivers of teens

Both resources will include WECHU and WECOSS branding and will be promoted through multiple channels, including:

• WECHU Oral Health, Healthy Families, and CHP programs
• Oral surgeons’ offices, childcare centres, and EarlyON programs
• Community events
• Downloadable access via the WECHU website

NEXT STEPS

This work is a strongly aligned with evidence demonstrating increased risks related to medication access, non‑medical use, and unintentional poisonings among children and youth. Next steps include delivering education sessions with interested youth‑serving organizations, finalizing and publishing school‑based curriculum supports, launching broad distribution of parent and caregiver resources, and continuing community outreach and promotion. Collectively, these actions support prevention, awareness, and safer medication practices in homes, schools, and communities.

REFERENCES

Boak, A., & Hamilton, H. A. (2024). Drug use among Ontario students, 1977–2023: Findings from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Toronto, ON: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.camh.ca/en/science-and-research/institutes-and-centres/institute-for-mental-health-policy-research/ontario-student-drug-use-and-health-survey---osduhs

Canadian Association for Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicology. (2022). Pan-Canadian poison centres 2022 annual report. Retrieved from https://infopoison.ca/for-professionals/

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). (n.d.). Youth and prescription painkillers: What parents need to know. Retrieved from https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/youth-and-prescription-painkillers#:~:text=Why%20Do%20Young%20People%20Misuse,not%20prescribed%20specifically%20for%20them

Health Canada. (2025). Alcohol and drug use among students in Canada, 2023-24: Key findings from the Canadian Student Alcohol and Drugs Survey. Ottawa, ON. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-student-tobacco-alcohol-drugs-survey/2023-2024-key-findings.html

Talk Substance. (n.d.). Prescription and over the counter medications. Retrieved from https://www.talksubstance.org/issues/use-of-prescription-drugs/

Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU). (2026). OSDUHS Analysis. Windsor, ON.