lignesantechamplain.ca – Health Services for Champlain

Health News For Champlain

Monday, May 07, 2012
Eastern Ontario Health Unit
New Medi Drop program offers a safe way to dispose of medication

The Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) are pleased to announce the launch of Medi Drop, a new program that offers a safe and anonymous way for the public to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medication.

Area residents can now drop prescription or over-the-counter medications that they no longer want or need into secure Medi Drop boxes that have been placed throughout the City of Cornwall. Boxes have been placed at the Cornwall Community Police station on Pitt Street and at the East End station on Montreal Road, as well as at both the McConnell and Second Street sites of the Cornwall Community Hospital.

The Medi Drop initiative was developed to help reduce the risks that can be created by keeping unwanted or unused medications at home. These risks include:

Abuse of medications by kids or their friends to get high. A recent survey in Ontario showed that 20% teens have taken a prescription medication to get high, and that 75% of those stole it from home.
Accidental poisonings of young children. According to Safe Kids Canada, medications are involved in two-thirds of unintentional poisonings in children under 14.
Home break-ins by thieves looking to get their hands on prescription drugs.

However, simply throwing medications into the garbage or pouring them down the drain creates other risks; they can contaminate the water supply, harm wildlife or be scavenged and sold illegally.

“The Medi Drop boxes offer a secure, easy and environmentally-friendly way to get rid of unwanted medications,” states Chief Dan Parkinson, of the CCPS. Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health, agrees. “We’re very excited to be a part of this unique program to help protect our children and keep our residents safe.”

The Medi Drop boxes are locked and securely mounted to prevent removal of the medication or the box itself. The CCPS is responsible for collecting and destroying the deposited medication. Residents can also dispose of unwanted medication by returning it to their pharmacy.

For details about what items can be deposited into the boxes, the drop box locations or other information about the Medi Drop program, please visit www.MediDrop.ca.

The CCPS and EOHU would like to thank the following sponsors of the Medi Drop program: the Cornwall Kinsmen Club, the Cornwall Community Hospital, Long Graphics, Abloy, and Kim’s Mobile Locksmith Service.