LITTLE CURRENT–The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) unveiled details of an important province-wide public safety initiative to encourage Ontario residents to dispose of old and unused prescription medication in a secure, environmentally friendly manner.
“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,” said Commissioner Chris Lewis, Ontario Provincial Police.
Manitoulin OPP Detachment will be hosting a collection location on Prescription Drug Drop Off Day on Saturday, May 11 at the Little Current Recreation Complex parking lot located at Highway 6 in Little Current between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm.
Citizens wishing to dispose of outdated, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs may do so anonymously at the location nearest them usually without having to get out of their vehicles.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 percent 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 Ontario Provincial Police, the Government of Ontario, and Public Safety Canada.
