Ontario Prescription Drug Drop Off Day - May 11, 2013

Province-wide effort to reduce risks associated with leftover medications

VAUGHAN, ON, May 1, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) today unveiled details of an important public safety initiative to encourage Ontario residents to dispose of old and unused prescription medication in a secure, environmentally-friendly manner.

Superintendent Ron Taverner (Toronto Police Service), the Chair of the OACP's Substance Abuse Committee was accompanied by Superintendent Tim Millar of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Dr. Arlene King, Chief Medical Officer of Health - Ontario, and Allan Malek of the Ontario Pharmacists Association at a media conference today to announce a province-wide Prescription Drug Drop Off Day.

"Police in communities across Ontario recognize prescription drug abuse can lead to increases in a wide spectrum of violent acts and property crimes. We support this excellent initiative as another way to reduce this threat to public safety in a secure manner." said Chief Steve Tanner, Halton Regional Police Service and President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

There will be collection locations for Prescription Drug Drop Off Day in several communities throughout Ontario on Saturday, May 11, 2013 - between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  People wishing to dispose of outdated, unused and unwanted prescription drugs may do so anonymously at the location nearest them usually without having to get out of their vehicles.

The Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) prohibits anyone from possessing oxycodone or any other prescribed medication without a prescription. It is a criminal offence to offer or sell a prescribed medication to another person. Purchasing another person's prescribed drugs is also illegal. Prescription drug misuse is the use of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. Common prescription drugs being misused are opioid pain relievers (such as oxycodone), anti-depressants, and stimulants. Recent studies indicate 24 per cent of teens reported misusing prescription medications at least once within the previous year. Most of the teens took the medication from their family home.

Prescription Drug Drop-off Day is proudly supported by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), the Government of Ontario, and Public Safety Canada.

QUICK FACTS

• Many young people are using prescription medication for other purposes than what it was intended.
• In a 2011 survey (Niagara), 24 of 100 youths reported misusing prescription drugs within the previous year.
• 17 of those 24 took the drugs from their families' homes.

Prescription drug drop off locations:
Participating Municipal Police Service and Locations
http://www.oacp.ca/content/news/article.html?ID=1357

Participating Ontario Provincial Police Detachments
http://www.oacp.ca/content/news/article.html?ID=1359

SOURCE: Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police

Joe Couto
Director of Government Relations & Communications
T. [phone] ext. 24
C. [phone]
E. [email protected] 

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