OPP urges residents to dispose of unused prescription meds

Police and Medical Officials Working Together to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse

ORILLIA, ON, May 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Saturday, May 11 is your opportunity to quickly and easily dispose of old and unused prescription medications that you may have in your home.  The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is making locations available across the province for residents to drive up and drop off medications that they no longer need.

The misuse and abuse of prescription medications has become a public safety issue for communities and police services across the country, who are working together to draw attention to this public safety concern by participating in the Prescription Drug Drop Off Day on Saturday, May 11, 2013.

The OPP has over fifty locations across the province ready to accept unwanted or expired medications to keep them away from individuals whom they were never intended for.  The abuse of prescription medications can lead to incidents of overdose and in some cases, death.

Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, residents can simply drive to any of the designated locations and anonymously drop off unwanted drugs. Police and medical officials urge you to do your part to combat this serious public health threat.  Prescription Drug Drop Off Day is a one-day initiative sponsored by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP).

QUOTE "In recent studies, 24 per cent of surveyed teens admitted misusing prescription medications at least once within the previous year, with most of the teens taking the medication from home. The OPP fully supports this program as just one more way to reduce the threat to public safety."  - Commissioner Chris Lewis, Ontario Provincial Police.

For a list of participating OPP detachments near you, visit opp.ca or contact your local OPP detachment.

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   Sergeant Dave Rektor  Phone: [phone]