UPDATE: 10:39 a.m. May 13, 2013

Kelowna - The front counter staff in Kelowna, Lake Country and West Kelowna will not be available during National Prescription Drug Drop Off Day, Saturday, May 11, and encourage you to drop off your unwanted prescriptions at your local pharmacy.

The BC RCMP supports the National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day, May 11, and is extending its support by accepting prescriptions for a full week till May 17, and ensuring these drugs are disposed of safely. Our three detachments are open Monday to Friday and will be happy to accept prescription medications during regular business hours. Please do not drop off medication outside of closed detachment buildings, for public safety reasons.

In BC, the Medications Return Program has been in place since 1996. This program allows the public to return unused or expired medications to participating pharmacies around the province.

The BC RCMP is asking parents and grandparents to be aware of a growing problem of prescription drug abuse among youth.

According to a 2009 study, one fifth of students in grades 7-12 have used at least one prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription. Oftentimes these medications were stolen from a medicine cabinet or a pharmacy, or obtained through a fake prescription or drug trafficker.

That’s why the RCMP in BC is supporting the first ever National Prescription Drop Off Day, May 11, and extending that support throughout the week till May 17.

“The goal is to provide the public with the opportunity to turn over all unwanted prescription medications so that these may then be safely and properly destroyed,” says Assistant Commissioner Randy Beck, head of Criminal Operations, Core Policing, for the RCMP in BC. “The RCMP supports this event as an important part of our national drug awareness and prevention strategy.”

The RCMP also wants to use this opportunity to ensure the public is aware of BC’s Medications Return Program, which has been in place since 1996.  BC residents can take expired or unused medications back to pharmacies across the province at no charge, on an ongoing basis.

“More than 95 per cent of pharmacies participate in the Medications Return Program, so it’s easy for British Columbians to return their expired or unused prescription drugs, over the counter medications, or natural health products at any time,” said Geraldine Vance, CEO of the BC Pharmacy Association. “We encourage everyone to drop off their medications to protect themselves, their families and the environment.”

In support of the National Prescription Drug Drop Off initiative, RCMP detachments across BC will accept prescription medications from the public from May 11, 2013 to May 17, 2013, during regular detachment hours. The drop off can be done anonymously and there is no obligation for the public to provide personal information or details. The BC RCMP is extending this initiative to a full week, to provide a greater opportunity for the public to dispose of unwanted or unused medications.

The RCMP detachments will ensure medications are disposed of safely, and without harming the environment.

The public is asked to check with their local RCMP detachment for hours it is open to the public, and not to drop off medication outside of closed detachment buildings, for public safety reasons.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013