"A Shared Responsibility" - Canada's Police Services Seek Public Assistance in Fight Against Prescription Drug Abuse

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 17, 2016) - The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) is pleased to announce that this year's National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016. Many police services across Canada will be reaching out to their communities to ask for their assistance in combatting the rapidly growing issue of prescription drug abuse.

By raising awareness, the goal of this annual event is to reduce risks by simply asking that Canadians dispose of their unused and unwanted prescriptions in a safe and responsible manner by dropping them off at a local pharmacy or to the police at a Prescription Drug Drop-off Day event

"It's a shared responsibility," stated Ontario Provincial Police Det. Insp. Steve Clegg, Co-Chair of the CACP Drug Abuse Committee. "Since its inception 5 years ago, as a policing initiative, we have seen a tremendous public response and we need to see that momentum continue. It is also very satisfying to see that the industry itself is taking greater action and a growing list of partner organizations have greatly assisted in raising awareness."

The program is supported by: Health Canada, Public Safety Canada, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Partnership for a Drug Free Canada, the Canadian Pharmacists Association, the Canadian Medical Association and the Health Products Stewardship Association.

"The rising rates of recreational misuse of prescription drugs by youth, in particular opioids, can lead to addiction and unintended, tragic consequences. We can all play a role in safeguarding our families just by clearing out our medicine cabinets. Unused and unwanted prescriptions can be dropped off at many police services on May 21 or at pharmacies throughout the year," stated Chief Clive Weighill, President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

The public is advised to contact their local police service with regards to prescription drug drop-off locations.

To learn more about this issue, please visit: https://cacp.ca/cacp-national-prescription-drug-drop-off-day-2015.html#275 In addition, police services, partners, stakeholders and community representative will be live tweeting this event using the hashtag #RxDropOff.

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.