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Albemarle County Public Schools

Secure Storage of Prescription Drugs and Firearms

Notice to Families

September 15, 2026

Dear ACPS Families,

Keeping students safe is a shared responsibility at school, at home, and throughout our community. Virginia law requires school divisions to provide families with information each year about securely storing prescription drugs and firearms.

Secure storage can help prevent accidental injuries, misuse, and suicide. Please review the information and resources below to learn how you can help keep children and teens safe.

Secure Prescription Drug Storage

Prescription drugs can be dangerous when they are accidentally or intentionally misused. Young children may accidentally take medications they find, while older children and teens may intentionally misuse prescription drugs. Secure storage can help prevent children and teens from accessing medications that could harm them.

To help keep prescription drugs secure:

  • Lock them up. Store prescription drugs in a locked cabinet, lockbox, or safe, especially medications such as opioids, sedatives, and stimulants.
  • Keep track of medications. Regularly check medication quantities so you can identify missing medication or possible misuse.
  • Dispose of medications safely. Take unused or expired prescription drugs to an authorized medication disposal location or drug take-back event rather than keeping them at home.

Learn more: Visit the Up and Away Campaign for tips and resources on safe medicine storage.

Secure Firearm Storage

Under Virginia Code § 18.2-56.2, it is illegal to recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm where it could endanger a child under age 14.

Secure storage helps prevent children and teens from accessing firearms. To help keep firearms secure:

  • Unload and lock firearms. Store firearms unloaded and secured with a locking device or in a locked gun safe or lockbox.
  • Store ammunition separately. Keep ammunition in a separate, locked location.
  • Don’t rely on education alone. Teaching children about firearm safety is important, but it is not a substitute for secure storage by adults.

Whether or not you own a firearm, you can help prevent children and teens from accessing unsecured firearms. Talk with other parents and caregivers about secure storage, especially in homes your child visits.

Remember the Be SMART Principles

  • Secure all firearms in homes and vehicles.
  • Model responsible behavior around firearms.
  • Ask about unsecured firearms in other homes.
  • Recognize the role of firearms in suicide.
  • Tell your peers to Be SMART.

Learn more: Visit Be SMART for resources to help parents and caregivers prevent children from accessing firearms.

Firearm Injuries, Deaths, and Suicide Prevention

Firearm injuries can be accidental or intentional and can result in serious injury or death. In 2024, 2,228 children and adolescents ages 17 and younger died from firearm-related causes in the United States—a rate of 3 deaths per 100,000, according to a KFF analysis of CDC data. This represents a 68% increase in youth firearm deaths from 2014 to 2024.

Firearms also play a significant role in youth suicide. In 2024, 45% of suicide deaths among children and teens ages 17 and younger involved a firearm. Secure firearm storage can help reduce access to a firearm during a crisis.

Where to Get Help

If you are concerned that your child may hurt themselves or someone else, seek help right away:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
  • The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 for crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support from a trained crisis counselor, available 24/7.
  • School mental health professionals: Contact your child’s school counselor, psychologist, social worker, or other mental health professional for support and help connecting with additional resources.
  • HELPme: ACPS uses HELPme to provide students, staff, and families with a safe and anonymous way to seek support. Available 24/7 through a mobile app and web platform, HELPme allows users to ask for help from their school, access crisis counseling, or find mental health, counseling, and community resources.

If there is an immediate danger, call 911.

Thank you for helping keep our students and community safe.