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It’s time to clean out your medicine cabinet
The HRM Public Safety Office, in conjunction with Capital Health and the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association, is hosting a free prescription drug drop-off booth on May 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Mic Mac Mall as part of National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day.
The drop-off day provides a quick and convenient opportunity for you to dispose of expired and unused medication in a safe and environmentally friendly way. You can bring any unwanted prescription drugs to the drop-off booth located on the second level of the mall near the Bay court entrance. Police officers and Capital Health employees will be on hand to receive the drugs and answer questions or you can simply drop your medications in one of the secured bins. This service is completely anonymous; to protect your privacy, we ask that you cover your name with a black marker or remove any labels containing personal information from packaging.
The abuse and misuse of prescription drugs is a significant public safety issue. Recent studies indicate 24 per cent of teens reported misusing prescription medications at least once within the previous year. Most of the teens took the medication from their family home. “The proper disposal of prescription drugs reduces their availability for illegal sale or trade and lessens the chances of abuse and accidental consumption,” says Staff Sergeant Scott MacDonald, HRM’s Public Safety Officer. “It also prevents unwanted chemicals from entering our water system and waste stream.”
This is the second year the HRM Public Safety Office has hosted a drop-off day. At last year’s event, HRM residents filled four 20 litre buckets with unwanted medications, including over 1,200 narcotic pills. Staff Sergeant MacDonald hopes this year’s event is as successful. “By simply cleaning out your medicine cabinet, you could prevent a needless tragedy from happening.”
National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and is being held in partnership with the Canadian Center on Substance Abuse and Public Safety Canada.
What: National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day
When: Saturday, May 10, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Mic Mac Mall, 2nd level near the Bay court entrance