Frederick County Public Schools is partnering with families to promote student safety by sharing vital guidelines on the secure storage of prescription medications and firearms. To prevent accidental poisoning and substance misuse, household medications should always be locked away and safely discarded at local police or sheriff drop-boxes. Under Virginia law, parents are legally responsible for preventing children from accessing firearms, which are a leading cause of accidental youth injury and suicide. The most effective way to prevent these tragedies is to store all firearms unloaded, locked, and entirely separate from ammunition.
If families have immediate concerns about a child's mental health, confidential support is available 24/7 via the 988 Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741), or through school counselors during school hours. A list of additional resources can be found on the FCPS Parent Resources for Threat Assessment and Suicide Prevention.
For additional information, please see the following: