Why police want your unused prescription drugs

Fanen Chiahemen Published Friday, May 10, 2013 11:13AM EDT Last Updated Friday, May 10, 2013 4:02PM EDT

As drug addiction rises in Canada, addicts may be looking for their next fix not on the streets but in your medicine cabinet, the federal government says.

Public Safety Canada is therefore encouraging Canadians to visit designated sites run by local police and community partners on May 11, to drop off unused prescription drugs that might otherwise fall into the wrong hands.

Doing so could help save a life.

According to Health Minister Leona Agukklaq, some of the main sources of drugs for addicts are family medicine cabinets, where unneeded, expired prescription drugs often languish.

In a statement released on Friday, Ontario Provincial Police cited studies indicating that 24 per cent of teenagers surveyed admitted abusing prescription drugs within the previous year, and most of them had found the drugs at home.

National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day aims to reduce the volume of prescription drugs available for misuse, as well as to inform the public of the harm they can cause, including accidental overdose and sometimes death.

Prescription drugs ending up in the wrong hands can also lead to health care fraud, pharmacy robberies, impaired driving and drug trafficking, the government said.

Ive heard heartbreaking stories of abuse and addiction. Our government has listened and we are taking action, Aglukkaq said at a press conference to announce the initiative on Thursday.

In addition, Health Canada says there is growing evidence that disposing of pharmaceuticals in the garbage and flushing them down toilets or sinks could ultimately be harming aquatic species as chemicals enter the water.

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Why police want your unused prescription drugs