Together for Safer Homes

Many of us have prescription medications and over the counter medications in our homes that nobody has needed in years. Leftovers from surgery, an expired prescription, or half-finished cough syrup that sits in our bathroom cabinets, kitchen cupboards, and bedside tables, where curious children and teens may find them. It’s easy to forget that they’re there.

Medications stored in easily accessible places in the home can be a source of potential harm for youth through accidental use or misuse. Clearing them out is a safety habit worth building. Taking a few simple steps can help make your home safer: store the medications you still use securely and return those you no longer use to a pharmacy for proper disposal.

Protect What Matters

According to Health Canada’s Canadian Student Alcohol and Drug Use Survey (2023-2024) of grade 7-12 students, one in twelve reports using a prescribed medication for non-prescribed reasons at least once in their lifetime. In addition, one in eight students reports using over-the-counter medications “to get high” at least once in their lifetime. These rates have doubled and tripled, respectively, since 2015.

Join us for the Together for Safer Homes event on September 29, 2026

Together for Safer Homes encourages parents and caregivers to make medication safety part of their home safety routine. On September 29, Substance Canada, Rexall, and the Health Products Stewardship Association will bring this message to Rexall pharmacies across Canada.

Together for Safer Homes is delivered in partnership with Rexall and the Health Products Stewardship Association.

Take these two simple steps to keep your family safe:

1. Store medications you still use securely.

Keep medications out of sight and out of reach of children and youth.
Store medications in a locked cabinet or container.
Check expiry dates regularly and set aside the medications you no longer need in a safe place.
Have age appropriate conversations with your kids about safe medication use.

2. Return medications you no longer use.

Place pills and tablets in a clear bag.
Keep liquids, creams, and inhalers in their original containers.
Remove personal information from packaging.
Return the medications to a participating pharmacy.

All Rexall pharmacies accept unused medication for safe disposal. To find other participating pharmacies near you, use the Health Products Stewardship Association’s Collection Location Finder.

Check your medications regularly. Make this part of your regular routine to help keep your home safe.

Join us and start the conversation.

Join us for a free national webinar that will provide practical strategies to help parents and caregivers support their kids through the changes and challenges of a new school year – including how to have open, age-appropriate conversations about substance use.

A Strong Start: Guiding Your Kids Through Back-to-School Challenges will be offered twice in English on Wednesday, September 16, and in French on Thursday, September 17.

More ways to support your kids

Explore our website and resources for practical information, guidance and support to help you talk with your kids about substances and reduce the risks of problematic substance use.

Talk with your kids about substances Get practical information and conversation tips to help you have open, age-appropriate conversations with your kids.

Learn about substances and their effects – Learn more about medications and other substances that could pose a risk to young people.

Reach out for support – Have questions or concerns about your teens’s substance use? Connect with our free and confidential Parent Support Hub for guidance.