The Safe Homes Coalition is a 501(c)3 that helps raise awareness about the proper use, storage and disposal of prescription medication to create safer homes and communities. Prescription drug abuse is a critical and complex public health issue that impacts more than 6 million Americans. The costs to the health care system and to law enforcement are considerable, not to mention the loss of life and destruction of families. In order to tackle this national problem, we all need to take a stand and get involved.
The theft of controlled substances like prescription medicine is a serious problem. You play a big role in keeping powerful medications out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. It’s dangerous and illegal for anyone to use a controlled substance not prescribed to them.
The Safe Homes Coalition’s Keep Kids Safe Program provides plastic bags to Realtors so their clients can secure prescription medications while their home is being shown to potential buyers. So far, 10,000 bags have been distributed to San Diego homeowners to safely and properly secure prescription medications.
The Coalition was founded in 2014 with the support of Millennium Health, Mental Health Systems, North Inland Community Prevention Program, Oakwood Escrow, Hope2Gether Foundation, the San Diego Association of Realtors, and the San Diego County Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force.
“Prescription drug abuse is the leading cause of unintended deaths in San Diego County. That’s why we need as many groups as possible working to curtail abuse and misuse. I commend the work of the Safe Homes Coalition in their effort to limit youth access to prescription drugs.”
“The reports of young people removing prescription medications from open houses made it apparent that real estate professionals can be the first line of defense in preventing such thefts of these medications.”