Illegal and unwanted guns aren't the only hazards that Chatham-Kent police are taking off of the streets.
Just days after last month's local Gun Amnesty Program wrapped up, officers collected 87.91kg of old and unused prescription medication.
Police teamed up with volunteers to collect the medication at three locations across Chatham-Kent on May 5 for their annual Prescription Drug Drop Off Day, taking in just over 2,000 pills, which is up from the 1,200 they received in 2017.
The five-year total for the drop-off program is now up to just over 9,200 pills.
Officers say most of the drugs that were collected this year included powerful painkillers, strong sedatives, and stimulants like amphetamines.
The initiative is meant to help police keep unused and unwanted drugs out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them. All of the medication that was dropped off will be safely and properly destroyed.
Police are also reminding members of the public that they can drop off unused or expired prescription medications at local pharmacies anytime throughout the year.
Chatham-Kent police and volunteers collect unused and expired prescription drugs. May 5, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Chatham-Kent police)
