Do YOU have Old or Unused Medications in Your Home?

(ESSEX COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) encourages and supports residents to purge those medicine cabinets of unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs. When expired and unused prescription medication is left unattended, it can lead to prescription drug abuse.

Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day is an important public safety initiative to encourage residents to dispose of old and unused prescription medication in a secure, environmentally-friendly manner.

The OPP in Essex County will provide residents an opportunity to dispose of old and unused prescription medications. This year’s Drug Drop off Day will take place:

WHEN:
Friday, May 6, 2022 between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Leamington OPP Detachment
7 Clark Street West in Leamington

HOW:    
Pull up in front of the detachment and hand your unwanted prescription drugs to officers who will be waiting

People wishing to dispose of outdated, unused and unwanted prescription drugs may do so anonymously without having to get out of their vehicles. Just pull up in front of the detachment and an officer will assist with your drop off.

The Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) prohibits anyone from possessing 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. 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.

“I encourage members of our community from across Essex County to take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of unused and old prescription medications during this year’s Drug Drop Off Day. Prescriptions are prescribed to those who require the medication and should be used in consultation with your physician. Maintaining unused drugs serves no purpose and could become a temptation to those in your family, so please use this opportunity to lawfully dispose of what you are currently storing at home,” says Essex County OPP Inspector Glenn MILLER.

Anyone with information regarding this or any other incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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