Drop off your prescription drugs with Shelburne Police this Saturday

May 20, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Abuse of OxyContin and Fentanyl patches, and other prescription drugs, is on the rise in the area, raising concerns of the Shelburne Police and the Ontario Provincial Police.

As such, the OPP is joining forces with the Shelburne Police this Saturday, May 21, to get these drugs out of places where they can wind up on the streets.

Communities in Canada have seen a rise in deaths due to prescription drug misuse, says the OPP, and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. people can take part in the Prescription Drug Take Back at the Shelburne Police Station (203 Main Street) “to reduce access and availability of prescription medications and to those who should not have them.”

“Some of the trends [we are seeing] is with adults having prescription drug medications, some teenagers will take them out of the drug cabinet and that sort of thing,” says Provincial Constable Paul Nancekivell. “OxyContin and Fentanyl patches are on the rise in terms of being used by people and that is our concern, starting to see that down towards the Orangeville area and the north as well. We want to make sure people aren’t selling their prescriptions or double doctoring. We have had some investigations over the past year where we have had people travelling to a number of towns around the area, and outside the area, getting prescriptions filled successfully and then selling them.

“Pharmacists are having to go in and become more and more vigilant and very careful in confirming with physicians whether they actually filled the prescription. That is our concern and that is why you are seeing doctors lately not issuing three month prescriptions for some of the stuff.

“Our policy is they walk up and hand it to us and it is about anonymity. We don’t ask them where they got it or any questions. It is just taking it off the street and getting it safely disposed of. We’re trying to respect [privacy issues]. It is a lot like Crime Stoppers. You are keeping your anonymity and your privacy. You walk up, hand it to us, and we take it – no questions asked.”