Dispose of unused medication
Ottawa Police urge residents to dispose of unused prescription meds, on May 10th
Saturday, May 10 is your opportunity to quickly and easily dispose of old
and unused prescription medications that you may have in your home. The
Ottawa police Service Drug Unit and Community Police Centres will have two
locations available for residents to drop off medications that they no
longer need.
Between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, residents can simply
go to the following two parking lots and anonymously drop off unwanted
prescription drugs:
• Toys R Us, 1683 Merivale Rd, Ottawa; and
• Gloucester City Centre, 1980 Ogilvie Rd, Ottawa
The misuse and abuse of prescription medication 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 10,
2014.
“Ottawa Police will accept unwanted or expired medications to keep them away
from individuals for whom they were never intended,” said Acting Staff
Sergeant Ian McDonell, Ottawa Police Service Drug Unit. “The abuse of
prescription medications can lead to incidents of overdose and, in some
cases, death.”
Police and medical officials urge Ottawa residents to do their part to
combat this serious public health threat. Residents are further reminded
that they can return any unwanted or outdated prescription medications to
their local pharmacy for safe and secure disposal at any time.
“Prescription medications are legal and intended for prescription use under
a physician’s supervision,” added Acting Staff Sergeant Ian McDonell. “When
taken as prescribed, they are safe. It is the misuse of the drug that is
dangerous. So, we urge residents to dispose of expired/unused/replaced
medication on May 10th or contact their pharmacy to find out how to do so
safely.”
Prescription Drug Drop Off Day is a one-day initiative supported by the
Ontario
Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), Partnership for a Drug Free Canada,
and Public Safety Canada with a common goal: “Police across Ontario, Canada
Working to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse.”
CONTACT:
Media Relations Section
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366
@OttawaPolice
facebook.com/OttawaPoliceService