Last Thursday, local member of Parliament (MP) John Weston joined the Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq and Canadian police chiefs to proclaim national prescription drug drop-off day.
The day was held formally for the first time last Saturday, May 11.
According to a news release from the Health Ministry, collaboration was the key in creating the latest effort by Canadians to grapple with the rising tide of prescription drug abuse.
"Too often the source of these drugs is the family medicine cabinet," said Aglukkaq. "Safely disposing of unused prescription drugs when you have recovered from your illness will reduce this risk and help protect the community."
Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, has been advocating for a national drug take-back day for about 18 months in addition to his progress on encouraging national health and fitness, including promiting awareness and education on substance abuse.
Weston's Bill C-475, combatting crystal meth and ecstasy, was one of only six private members' bills that made it through the minority Parliament of 2008 to 11. In the fall of 2011, he took his lead from Michel Perron, chief executive officer of the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, who suggested a drug take-back day as a national priority.
Weston then met with medical practitioners, school officials, recovery specialists, and law enforcement officials to develop the concept. West Vancouver Police Chief Pete Lepine, then the Head of the BC Association of Police Chiefs, was instrumental in getting a supportive resolution passed unanimously at the annual general meeting of the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs last fall.
"I thank the Ministers of Health and Public Safety, and our Prime Minister for their support bringing to life an idea that was endorsed by my constituents over a year ago in West Vancouver," Weston said. "I'm confident we're about to turn the corner on prescription drug abuse. Minister Aglukkaq's leadership today reflects a need that was voiced strongly in our riding, by students, teachers, pharmacists, doctors, and police."
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