Nearly 270 lbs. of prescription medications were collected from citizens in the Greater Sudbury area during prescription drug drop-off day on May 21.
That Saturday, the Community Drug Strategy, Sudbury & District Health Unit and the Greater Sudbury Police Service partnered with 35 pharmacies that agreed to provide a location for residents of Greater Sudbury to safely dispose of unused, expired and unwanted medications.
“Medications that are not used in the way they are prescribed or by the person for whom they are prescribed can cause serious health, legal and social problems,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury & District Medical Officer of Health, in a news release. "Taking prescription medications that are no longer needed to your local pharmacy makes our communities safer for everyone."
Greater Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pedersen said in 2015, only 75 lbs. of medications were collected on the drop-off day.
“The Greater Sudbury Police Service is extremely pleased to see the participation and support of our local drug stores/pharmacies and citizens in Greater Sudbury,” he said. “It is fantastic to see the commitment of the community and the role they can play in preventing tragedy from occurring if these medications fell in to the wrong hands.”
