Saturday, May 10th is your opportunity to quickly and easily dispose of old and unused prescription medications that you may have in your home. The Chatham-Kent Police Service will have designated locations available in Chatham, Wallaceburg and Blenheim for residents to drop off medications that they no longer need.
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 this Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day. “Prescription medications are legal and intended for prescription use under a physician’s supervision. When taken as prescribed, they are safe. It is the misuse of the drug that is dangerous. I urge local residents to dispose of expired/unused/replaced medication or contact their pharmacy to find out how to do so safely” says Chief Dennis Poole.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service will accept unwanted or expired medications to keep them away from individuals for whom they were never intended. The abuse of prescription medications can lead to incidents of overdose and, in some cases, death.
Sgt Jim Lynds adds, “Last year, this initiative was very successful as members of our community dropped off 37.74 kg of both prescription and non-prescription medication during this community safety initiative.”
This year, on Saturday, May 10th, 2014 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. residents can simply go to any of the designated locations and anonymously drop off unwanted drugs. Police and medical officials urge you to do your part to combat this serious public health threat.
In Chatham-Kent, unused or old prescriptions may be dropped off at:
– Wallaceburg Service Centre, 786 Dufferin Avenue, Wallaceburg, Ont
– Chatham-Kent Court House, 425 Grand Avenue West, Chatham, Ont
– Municipal Centre, 35 Talbot Street West, Blenheim, Ont
Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day is a one-day initiative supported by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), Partnership for a Drug Free Canada, Public Safety Canada, Chatham-Kent Drug Awareness Council, C-K Crime Prevention Board, CK Public Health, East Side Pride, McKesson Canada and Medavie EMS.
Residents are further reminded that they can return any unwanted or outdated prescription medications to their local pharmacy for safe and secure disposal at any time.
