August is National Drug Drop Off Month
DFK is excited to highlight once again that August is National Drug Drop-off Month.
Each year, our National Drug Drop-off Campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of using prescription and OTC medications only for their intended purpose, safely storing them, and returning any expired and unused medications to local pharmacies for proper disposal.
Chantal Vallerand, Executive Director, reminds us that, “Safely storing and disposing of medications is crucial for safeguarding our children and adolescents. Easy access to unused or expired medications poses significant risks, including accidental ingestion and misuse. By returning these medications to their local pharmacy, parents play a vital role in preventing potential harm and protecting the well-being of loved ones. It’s a simple, yet impactful step towards a safer community.”
Did you know?
- 85% of households do not keep medications locked away, giving kids easy access and posing serious risks to their health.
- While 71% of parents know they can take medications back to their pharmacies, only 45% actually do.
- Unused and expired medications can easily be returned to any local pharmacy at any time of the year to ensure they are not misused or that they don’t contaminate the environment.
Our NDD Campaign Partners
DFK is thrilled to join arms again this year with our leading partners Rexall, Health Products Stewardship Association and Innovative Medicines Canada to amplify our message, and to engage families across the country in this important conversation.
“Rexall is honoured to support National Drug Drop-Off Month and the essential work being carried out by Drug Free Kids Canada,” says Nicolas Caprio, President at Rexall. “As a trusted community pharmacy, we are committed to the well-being of our communities. By providing safe and responsible disposal options for unused and expired medications year-round, we are not only protecting our environment but also preventing potential harm. Our in-store events on International Overdose Awareness Day will offer invaluable resources and guidance to families, further underscoring our dedication to the health and safety of the communities we proudly serve.”
In conjunction with International Overdose Awareness Day on Friday, August 30th, Rexall will be hosting live, informational events across the country to engage families and promote safe medication practices. DFK is delighted to partner with Rexall for these events.
Why this is so important
According to the 2022 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS), young people in Canada were more likely to use pharmaceuticals and medications to get high than illegal drugs. Equally concerning, 27% of high school students reported that it would be ‘fairly easy’ or ‘very easy’ to obtain prescription pain relievers, an increase from 23% in 2018-2019.
“In recent years we have witnessed a significant increase in toxicological emergencies, particularly among youth aged nine to 13 years old. There is a pressing need for families to educate themselves and their children on the safe storage of medications at home, as well as safe disposal when medications are expired or no longer needed, and consequently prevent problematic use and acute poisonings.” Dr. Maude St-Onge, Medical Director, Centre anti-poison du Québec and DFK Advisory Council member.
Are you ready to dispose of your medications? It’s so simple!
Empty all dry medication such as pills and tablets into a clear bag, keeping all liquids, creams, and inhalers in their original vials, and remove all personal identification. Then return these to a local Rexall Pharmacy, or any other participating pharmacy using HPSA’s Collection Location Finder.
Together, we can protect our youth, our communities and our environment.
