Publix Promotes ‘Lock Your Meds’ Campaign
To help prevent prescription drug abuse, all 622 Publix Pharmacy stores in the Sunshine State are promoting the “Lock Your Meds” campaign this month, in collaboration with Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership.
The campaign teaches consumers about the importance of securing their medication, taking regular inventory of it, properly disposing of unused or expired medications, and making family and friends aware of prescription drug abuse. Informed Families publicizes Lock Your Meds annually in homes, schools and communities across Florida.
In support of the campaign, each Publix Pharmacy store in Florida will display a Lock Your Meds stand-up poster on the pharmacy counter, as well as a message printed on all pharmacy prescription receipts. The stores will also direct customers to Informed Families’ website, where they can take a pledge to secure their medications. Those who take the pledge will be automatically entered to win one of five medicine safes (retail price $120). The site additionally offers tips and tools on securing medication, a downloadable home medicine inventory card and ways to help spread the message.
Education Can Prevent Abuse
“While many parents are concerned that their children will get involved with street drugs, the most accessible drugs are found in home medicine cabinets,” said Robin Sistrunk, manager of integrated care for Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix. “In supporting Informed Families and the Lock Your Meds campaign, we hope to increase awareness of prescription drug abuse, provide simple ways to prevent it and ultimately save lives.”
“Every day, 2,500 teens abuse prescription pain medications for the first time,” added Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership President and CEO Peggy Sapp. “It’s crucial that parents and caregivers are educated about prescription drug abuse.”
This is the second consecutive year that Publix has collaborated with Informed Families on Lock Your Meds. In 2013, the grocer exclusively promoted the campaign in its central Florida pharmacies.
The National Family Partnership (NFP), based in Miami, developed Lock Your Meds in response to prescription drug abuse in the United States. Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership, a nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and also based in Miami, is the Florida affiliate of the NFP.
Privately owned and operated by its 166,500 employees, Publix has 1,077 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.