OPP Supports Prescription Drug Drop Off Day

Police Agencies Working Together to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse

ORILLIA, ON, May 1, 2013 /CNW/ - The misuse and abuse of prescription medications has become a public safety issue for communities and police services across the country.  The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is announcing that it will be working with police services across Canada to draw attention to this public safety concern by fully supporting and participating in the Prescription Drug Drop Off Day on Saturday May 11, 2013.

Prescription Drug Drop Off Day was announced at a news conference today in Toronto. Hosted by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), police and medical officials announced a province-wide initiative that will provide residents of Ontario with an opportunity to dispose of old and unused prescription medications to keep them from falling into the wrong hands.

Prescription Drug Drop Off Day will be held on Saturday May 11, 2013 at venues organized by local police services.   The OPP will have over fifty detachments across the province that will be participating in this event between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The public is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of all unwanted, unused and expired prescription medications in their homes.  The drop off process will be quick and simple and participants will not even have to leave their vehicles.

QUOTE

"Ontarians are among the highest users of prescription medications containing narcotics in the country.  The number of deaths has risen due to drug misuse; often, young people will use medications found in their home medicine cabinets to 'get high'.  On May 11, police and medical officials will work together to combat this serious public health threat." - Commissioner Chris Lewis, Ontario Provincial Police.

For a list of participating OPP detachments near you, visit opp.ca.

SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police

Contacts by OPP Region:

Highway Safety Division: Sergeant Dave Woodford Phone: [phone] 

Central Region: Sergeant Peter Leon Phone: [phone]

East Region: Sergeant Kristine Rae Phone: [phone]

Northwest Region: Sergeant Shelley Garr Phone: [phone]

Northeast Region: Sergeant Jim McGill Phone: [phone]

West Region: Constable Aaron McPhail Phone: [phone]