50 pounds of prescription drugs turned into police

Greater Sudbury Police Service collected about 50 pounds of various prescription medications from Sudburirans during the Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day on May 10.

Throughout Ontario, 33 police services participated in the event, collecting a total of 1,760 pounds at 122 different sites.

It was an opportunity for residents to dispose of unused, expired and unwanted medications.

"We would like to thank all of our citizens who took the opportunity to dispose of their unused prescription drug at our drop-off locations,” said Deputy Chief Al Lekun. “This is an important step in dealing the serious problems associated with prescription drug abuse in Greater Sudbury and across Canada.”

This initiative, led nationally by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and provincially by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, will help communities keep these drugs out of the hands of those who should not have them, said Greater Sudbury Police Service. The misuse and abuse of prescription medications has become a public safety issue for communities and police services across the country.

“The abuse of prescription medications can lead to incidents of overdose and in some cases, death. Residents are urged to drop off any unused or expired prescription medication at their local pharmacies at any time, where they can be disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.”