CPAKC offers free medicine lock bags

The Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County is offering free medicine lock bags to protect youth from accidental overdose and potential death. The effort is part of CPAKC’s annual Locks Save Lives campaign in Goldendale, Washington.

“We want to keep medicines out of the hands of children and prevent unnecessary tragic accidents,” said Abby Whalin, chair for the coalition. “It is a simple thing to do to lock up any substances that could harm others. It is even easier to do with the new portable bags.”

In previous years, as part of the Locks Save Lives annual campaign, the coalition has offered free medi- cine lock boxes which are larger and heavier. CPAKC Coordinator Sunday Sutton said the switch to locked bags helps account for people with very little space to store a box and also accommodates the houseless population.

“It is important that regardless of living conditions, everyone has the opportunity to lock up substances that could harm others if they are misused,” Sutton said.

Building healthy communities and reducing the risk of harm caused by substance misuse is a fundamental purpose of the coalition. Throughout the year, the group works with youth, parents and guard-