{"id":115,"date":"2026-01-16T17:04:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T22:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/?page_id=115"},"modified":"2026-03-06T16:36:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T21:36:11","slug":"safe-medication-practices","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe Medication Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-custom-content-position is-position-center-left\" style=\"min-height:202px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-6180 size-full\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smokey-Gray-Mountains.jpg\" style=\"object-position:50% 65%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 65%\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\"><h1 style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--large);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--large);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--x-small);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--x-small);margin-right:0;margin-left:0;\" class=\"has-text-align-left has-link-color wp-elements-2669c25cd1f06430b4b85ebffeced485 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-white-color\">Safe Medication Practices<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator alignfull has-alpha-channel-opacity\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many potential risks related to how we use, store, and dispose of our medications. To protect ourselves and others, it is important to understand the differences between medication use versus misuse and engage in safe medication practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medication Safety Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These strategies to avoid medication misuse:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Read medication labels thoroughly, including uses, directions, and warnings.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only use medication as directed.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid using expired medication.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not share prescription medication with others. Medications affect people differently and&nbsp;<strong>sharing&nbsp;perscriptions&nbsp;is illegal.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Store medication in a cool, dry place. Direct sunlight, heat, or damp conditions may change the chemical makeup of medications and make them harmful or less effective.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secure medication in a lockable space.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Safely dispose of unused medication at a medication disposal site or use at-home disposal products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defining Medication Misuse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Medication misuse can be described as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Taking a medication in a manner or dose other than prescribed or directed&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking someone else\u2019s prescription medication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Harms of&nbsp;over-the-counter&nbsp;and prescription medication misuse can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f0342b05 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adverse drug interactions&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Worsening health issues&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decreased academic performance&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Damaged relationships&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legal trouble&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dependency&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Addiction&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overdose<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Campus Medication Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide utkwds-link-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-utkwds-link-group-2up\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/disposerx\/\" id=\"380\">Dispose RX<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/medication-lock-boxes\/\" id=\"376\">Medication Lock Boxes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/pharmaceutical-take-back-box\/\" id=\"580\">Pharmaceutical Take-Back Box<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are many potential risks related to how we use, store, and dispose of our medications. To protect ourselves and others, it is important to understand the differences between medication use versus misuse and engage in safe medication practices. Medication Safety Practices These strategies to avoid medication misuse: Defining Medication Misuse Medication misuse can be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":19,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"no-title","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-115","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Safe Medication Practices - Center for Health Education &amp; Wellness<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Safe Medication Practices - Center for Health Education &amp; Wellness\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There are many potential risks related to how we use, store, and dispose of our medications. To protect ourselves and others, it is important to understand the differences between medication use versus misuse and engage in safe medication practices. Medication Safety Practices These strategies to avoid medication misuse: Defining Medication Misuse Medication misuse can be [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Center for Health Education &amp; Wellness\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-06T21:36:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/alcohol-other-drugs\\\/safe-medication-practices\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/alcohol-other-drugs\\\/safe-medication-practices\\\/\",\"name\":\"Safe Medication Practices - Center for Health Education &amp; Wellness\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-16T22:04:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-06T21:36:11+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/alcohol-other-drugs\\\/safe-medication-practices\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/alcohol-other-drugs\\\/safe-medication-practices\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/alcohol-other-drugs\\\/safe-medication-practices\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Alcohol &amp; Other Drugs Risk Reduction\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/alcohol-other-drugs\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Safe Medication Practices\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/\",\"name\":\"Center for Health Education & Wellness\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentlife.utk.edu\\\/wellness\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Safe Medication Practices - Center for Health Education &amp; Wellness","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Safe Medication Practices - Center for Health Education &amp; Wellness","og_description":"There are many potential risks related to how we use, store, and dispose of our medications. To protect ourselves and others, it is important to understand the differences between medication use versus misuse and engage in safe medication practices. Medication Safety Practices These strategies to avoid medication misuse: Defining Medication Misuse Medication misuse can be [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/","og_site_name":"Center for Health Education &amp; Wellness","article_modified_time":"2026-03-06T21:36:11+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/","url":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/","name":"Safe Medication Practices - Center for Health Education &amp; Wellness","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-01-16T22:04:49+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-06T21:36:11+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/safe-medication-practices\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Alcohol &amp; Other Drugs Risk Reduction","item":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/alcohol-other-drugs\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Safe Medication Practices"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/#website","url":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/","name":"Center for Health Education & Wellness","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/115\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}