Possible Challenges for Walden-CAN HSTF-Health & Safety Issues in Walden, Vice-Chair, Jim Palys

Possible Challenges for Walden HSTF- expanded Role for Future:
Vice-Chair, Jim Palys

Health & Safety Issues in Walden:

I. Household hazard Waste Issue:
...The lack of proper disposal services/facilities for unused
or outdated household prescription drugs and other medications.

1. The City of Greater Sudbury currently utilises :
a. The Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Centre on Frobisher Street
b. The only depot that will accept unneeded prescription medication for disposal.

2. Some pharmacies :
a. Accept outdated or unused medications :
a. Provide the disposal at their own cost.

3. Many Residents of Walden need information & access:
a. Are unaware that these services exist
b. Or are unable to access the Disposal Centre in Sudbury.

4. The Toxic Taxi helps:
a. Will pick up these items on a call for service basis
b. Anywhere within the city.

5. Concerns re- Pollution :
a. There is a growing body of data that shows that prescription medications are working their way
into our water treatment facilities
b. In levels that are now detectable.

6. This may be a result of both:
a. Incomplete breakdown through metabolism within the consumer of the medication
b. Improper disposal through flushing into the wastewater system or disposal in the landfill.

Challenge:

1. Is there something the HSTF or another subgroup of the CAN can do to promote the proper
disposal of these medications?
2. Is there a role we can play?


Oxycontin is more than a problem of the large Cities!

1. Most of us have read recently about the problems associated with the abuse of certain prescription medications, most notably, Oxycontin.
2. The problems associated with Oxycontin are not only present in larger centres but in our community as well.
3. Most health and law enforcement experts believe this problem can be dealt with more efficiently from the community level.

Challenge:

1. Is there a role we can play re- Drug Abuse & Ocycontin?

2. Please see backgrounder from Sudbury’s Oxycontin Task Force
http://www.police.sudbury.on.ca/publications/OxyContin.pdf

If you have any ideas, suggestions or are interested in becoming involved in these Challenges, contact Jim Palys at jpalys@sympatico.ca