Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Announce National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 2, 2014) - The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) is pleased to announce this years National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day which will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Police services across Canada will be participating in this event.

The National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day has dramatically evolved from a highly successful pilot program between Niagara Regional Police Service and it's community partners to a national effort lead by the CACP and supported by the federal government (through Public Safety Canada and Health Canada), the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Partnership For a Drug Free Canada and the Canadian Pharmacists Association.

"It is an opportunity for all Canadians to safely dispose of unused pharmaceuticals so they cannot harm others, especially young people" stated CACP President Chief Constable Jim Chu. "Police services and community partners throughout Canada will be providing the public with an opportunity to safely dispose of their unused prescription medication at specified locations."

A video message from Chief Constable Chu can be found at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/snqjcvf3d0spwb5/Dropoff_national.mp4

As Chair of the CACP Drug Abuse Committee, Chief Mark Mander, recognizes the need for all Canadians to play a role in responding to Canada's prescription drug crisis.

"Trends continue to indicate rising rates of recreational misuse of prescription drugs by youth, the majority of whom obtain these drugs from family medicine cabinets and friends. In some regions, health professionals have identified opioid misuses in particular as a public health crisis due to rates of addiction, recreational misuse and overdose deaths. Simply put, unnecessary availability can lead to unintended, tragic consequences."

The public is advised to contact their local police service with regards to prescription drug drop-off locations. In addition, unused / unwanted prescriptions can be dropped off at local pharmacies throughout the year. Partnership for a Drug Free Canada, with whom CACP has been closely working, will be extending this one-day initiative with a National Medicine Take-back Campaign beginning on May 31 and running until the end of 2014. To learn more about this issue, Canadians are asked to visit www.CACP.ca and follow the link "2014 Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day."

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police was established in 1905 and represents approximately 1,000 police leaders from across Canada. The Association is dedicated to the support and promotion of efficient law enforcement and to the protection and security of the people of Canada. Through its member police chiefs and other senior police executives, the CACP represents in excess of 90% of the police community in Canada which include federal, First Nations, provincial, regional and municipal, transportation and military police leaders.