I used to be able to take meds without water, but, given a couple of ODs, my body won't allow me to since my throat closes somewhat with all pills.

As to taking pills in public, I will happily take OTCs in public as well as my migraine meds, but I won't take psych meds. I do work in an environment where my colleagues would know exactly which meds I was taking if they bothered to look and I keep my dx private.