News Release                                                

                                                  For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                 December 29, 2008

There is a New Drug Dealer in Town…

Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and neighbours, beware! There is a new drug dealer in town, and it may be in the last place you expect – in your own home.

The 2007 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey indicates that 21% of the 6323 students surveyed reported non-medical use of a prescription pain reliever (such as Percocet, Tylenol #3, or OxyContin) in the year before the survey. Surprisingly, 72% of the students said they got these drugs from home.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit, in partnership with the Grey Bruce Parent Norms Committee, FOCUS and local pharmacies, has developed a public awareness campaign addressing prescription drug misuse. Beginning January 5, 12 local pharmacies will staple to all prescription bags bright green leaflets describing the issue (see attachment). The leaflets contain statistics on prescription drug misuse and provide tips for the safe storage and disposal of medications. 

Public Health urges community members to keep track of prescription quantities, and to return unused medications to their local pharmacy. As a community, we can reduce access to the newest drug dealer in town.

For further information about prescription drug misuse, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456.

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Attachments: Poster – There’s a New Dealer in Town 

                     Prescription Bag Tag 

For more information:

Heather Jamieson

Public Health Nurse, Youth Team

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1468