Regional Police encourage participation in National Prescription Drug Drop off Day

Waterloo Region ON – The Waterloo Regional Police Service, in conjunction with our community partners, urges residents to safely dispose of unused prescription medications by taking part in National Prescription Drug Drop Off Day.

Residents are encouraged to bring unused / expired prescription medications in their original containers to Waterloo Regional Police Service Headquarters Open House located at 200 Maple Grove Road, Cambridge this Saturday, May 9, 2015 between 10am and 3pm.

This is a great opportunity to safely and easily dispose of unused / expired prescription medications that you may have in your home. Safely disposing of unwanted or expired medications reduces illegal diversion and the risk of harm for citizens of all ages.

According to recent reports:

In 2009, almost one in five high school students in Waterloo Region, Guelph and Wellington County had used an opioid painkiller for recreation and more than 70% of students got the opioids from home.

Canada consumes more prescription opioid painkiller medications per capita than any other nation. The use and misuse of prescription opioids has been called a leading public health and safety concern resulting in unprecedented levels of accidental deaths, opioid addictions and a robust black market.

Flushing your medicines down the toilet or drain or into the garbage is not recommended.

The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) also reminds residents that unused/expired prescription medications can be returned to any local pharmacy at any time of year – it’s easy and it’s free. Safely disposing of unused prescription medication by returning it to a local pharmacy is a simple and effective way to reduce unnecessary risk and harm.

Through the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy (WRIDS), the WRCPC, WRPS and other area partners are working to help make Waterloo Region safer and healthier for everyone. For more information about opioid safety, the WRIDS and related initiatives visit: http://www.overdoseprevention.ca

Prescription Drug Drop off Day is a one-day initiative supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, and Partnership for a Drug Free Canada, Health Canada and Public Safety Canada.

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