Ottawa Police hosts prescription medication drop off on May 9

Do you have bottles of old or unused prescription medications sitting in your medicine cabinet?

Ottawa Police will be participating in a province-wide public safety initiative to encourage residents to dispose of old and unused prescription medication in a secure, environmentally-friendly manner.

Ottawa Police will be hosting a free Prescription Drug Drop Off Day for citizens wishing to dispose of outdated, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Drop offs can be made anonymously by removing or blacking out the labels. ** DATE:

 Saturday, May 9, 2015

** ** TIME:

 10 a.m.

to

 3 p.m.

** ** LOCATION:

474 Elgin St. Police Station – ** _ Police officers will be outside in front of the station to collect your drop off as you drive through. _ “This initiative is another way we can reduce the threat to public safety in a secure manner and reduce crimes associated to prescription drug misuse,”said Acting Staff Sergeant Ian McDonell, head of the Ottawa Police Drug Section.

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 medication they found in their family home.

“You can help keep children, families and our community safe by safely disposing of prescription medications,” said Acting Staff Sergeant Ian McDonell.

_ Prescription Drug Drop-off Day is proudly supported by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), the Government of Ontario and Public Safety Canada. _