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The Public Safety Office, in conjunction with Nova Scotia Health Authority and the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association, is hosting a free prescription drug drop-off booth on May 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Halifax Shopping Centre 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 prescription drugs you want to get rid of to the drop-off booth located on the lower level of the mall near Sears. Police officers and Nova Scotia Health Authority employees will be on hand to receive the drugs and answer questions, or you can simply drop your medications in one of the secure 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. In 2012, almost 25 percent of Canadians aged 15 and older reported using a psychoactive prescription drug and a quarter of this group admitted abusing the drug for non-medical purposes. “According to the 2012-13 Youth Smoking Survey, psychoactive pharmaceuticals are the third most common way for youth to get high, after marijuana and alcohol,” says Staff Sergeant Scott MacDonald, Public Safety Officer. “By getting rid of prescription medications you no longer need, you’re doing your part to lessen the chances of abuse and misuse.”
This is the third year the Public Safety Office has hosted a drop-off location. At last year’s event, Halifax residents filled four 20 litre buckets with unwanted medications, including over 1,200 narcotic pills. “National Prescription Drug Drop-off Day serves as a great reminder for all of us to clean out our medicine cabinets,” says Staff Sergeant MacDonald. “And throughout the year, I encourage you to dispose of your unused and expired prescription drugs responsibly by returning them to your local pharmacy.”
National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day is sponsored by The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, together with Health Canada, Public Safety Canada, Partnership for a Drug Free Canada, the Canadian Pharmacists Association, and the Canadian Medical Association. Visit halifax.ca/police/PrescriptionDrugDropOffDay.php for more information.
What: National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day
When: Saturday, May 9, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m
Where: Halifax Shopping Centre, lower level near Sears