Patient Safety Awareness Week: Protecting Families Through Safe Medication Use

OSUS encourages families to follow simple steps that prevent accidental overdoses and protect loved ones

Columbia, SC – March 5, 2026 – During Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 8-14, the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) is reminding families that safe medication practices play a critical role in preventing accidental overdoses and other avoidable harm. Many medication-related emergencies occur not because of intentional misuse, but because prescriptions are mixed, doses are doubled, or medications are taken by someone other than the person for whom they were prescribed.

“Safe medication practices protect families,” said Michelle Nienhius, Manager of Prevention and Intervention Services for OSUS. “Understanding how and when to take prescriptions, and asking questions when something is unclear, can prevent serious consequences.”

Opioids, benzodiazepines and other commonly prescribed medications can be dangerous when combined with alcohol or certain over-the-counter drugs. Even taking an extra dose by mistake or using a medication prescribed to someone else can lead to breathing problems, overdose or harmful interactions. OSUS emphasizes that reading prescription labels carefully and following directions exactly as written are simple but essential safety steps.

Proper storage and disposal are also key parts of prevention. Medications should remain in their original containers, be stored in secure locations and be properly discarded when no longer needed. Unsecured prescriptions increase the risk of accidental ingestion by children and the possibility of misuse within the home.

“When in doubt, ask,” Nienhius said. “Pharmacists and healthcare providers are valuable partners in keeping families safe. A quick question can prevent a serious medical emergency.”

Just Plain Killers offers resources on medication safety, high-risk drug combinations, overdose prevention and safe disposal options for families across South Carolina at justplainkillers.com.

For more information about statewide addiction services and resources, visit daodas.sc.gov.