GREENSTONE, ON – Earlier this month, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)  in Greenstone 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.

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 Detective Constable Sylvain BEAULIEU.

Greenstone OPP will be hosting collection locations on Prescription Drug Drop Off Day on:

Saturday, May 11, 2013
at the Rexall Pharmacy in Geraldton
between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Citizens wishing to dispose of outdated, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs may do so anonymously at the location nearest them usually without having to get out of their vehicles.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 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 Ontario Provincial Police, the Government of Ontario, and Public Safety Canada.