Prescription drug drop kicks off Police Week

May 15, 2014 · 0 Comments

Shelburne Police partnered with the Dufferin OPP on Saturday May 10th to kick of Police Week in Ontario by hosting a Prescription Drug Drop Off event. Shelburne Police Constable Gary Walton and OPP Constable Paul Nancekivell spent most of Saturday collecting over 2 kilograms of unused or expired prescription and non-prescription medications beside the Shelburne Police Station.

This was the second year for the event which is held province wide. Local residents could anonymously dispose of expired and unused medication for safe disposal. Constable Nancekivell said last year they had more medical paraphernalia dropped off and fewer medications compared to this year. Police Services are working with medical agencies in Ontario to combat prescription drug abuse. The event encourages parents and the public to safely dispose of unneeded drugs kept in the home so they do not fall into the wrong or even criminal hands. As well, the improper storage and disposal of prescription narcotics and other controlled substances is an environmental and public health and safety issue.

The International Narcotics Control board has deemed Canada to be the second largest consumer of prescription pain relievers. Globally, North America consumes 80% of the world’s Opioids, prescription medication prescribed for severe pain that cause a morphine-like effect. According to the Drug Enforcement Unit, Opioids are being used non-medically by 12 per cent of Ontario students in grades 7–12. That represents an alarming 120 thousand students. Deputy Commissioner Scott Tod of the Ontario Provincial Police stated in a press release that “by working with our community partners, we see the ability for organizations like public health, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies to work together to reduce the harm of illegal use of prescription medication.”

This year’s theme for Police Week, observed since 1970, is “Building Community Partnerships,” aimed at promoting collaboration between police and the community. The theme is inspired by British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel’s “Principals of Law Enforcement” written in 1829, “To maintain at all times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and that the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen, in the interests of community welfare and existence.”

Constables Walton and Nancekivell said Saturday, that there have been incidents of OxyContin being stolen and sold on the streets of Dufferin County. They noted that a big part of the problem is double doctoring and getting prescriptions filled more than once. Prescription drugs are governed by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and are only legal when prescribed by a doctor. It is illegal to possess prescription drugs without a valid prescription or to get multiple prescriptions filled by different pharmacies. Teens need to be made aware of the real dangers of these medications and that giving out or trafficking prescription drugs is an illegal and serious federal offence. In Canada, 47,000 deaths are linked annually to substance abuse. Medications can be properly disposed throughout the year at local pharmacies. The Constables’ message for parents is, “If you are not using it, turn it in.”

By Marni Walsh