Warning in Rutland over unwanted or unused medicines kept at home
An amnesty's being launched for medicines to be handed in
Last updated 10th Mar 2025
Concerns are being raised across Rutland about the number of unwanted or unused medicines with fears it's leading to the risk of an overdose.
A medicine amnesty has been introduced with bins provided.
People are being urged to clear out unused and unwanted medicines and bring them to pharmacies to be disposed of safely.
We've been speaking to Mat Williams - the suicide prevention lead for Rutland about the amnesty.
We just want to make it safer for people
He's told us: "We wanted to look at ways we could perhaps make an impact and a difference on patients that could have harmed themselves through overdose of medication or actually accidental ingesting of medication. "
"We're asking people to return medications to make it safer really."
"We do have people that perhaps hoard medications or just haven't returned them to pharmacies for multiple reasons."
"It isn't just about self harm or even suicide but there's also people who may be confused."
"They may have medications laying around - people pick them up - children can pick them up accidentally."
"We just want to make it safer for people out in the community."