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Orangeville Police Service offering drug drop off initiative in April

April 11, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Baker

With the support of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and the Dufferin Overdose Awareness Committee, the Orangeville Police Service is offering a Prescription Drug Drop-off initiative during the month of April.

The program is for any Orangeville resident who wishes to voluntarily surrender unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription medication. These medications could be either narcotic or non-narcotic. Police will also accept any unwanted drug paraphernalia. This service is free and anonymous to individuals dropping off the prescription medications with no questions asked.

The initiative is being held as a proactive program to provide residents with a safe way to surrender any prescription medication. All substances turned in to the program will be disposed of in a safe, secure and environmentally friendly manner. Police believe that by reducing the amount of unnecessary prescription drugs in our community we will limit the opportunity for the drugs to be misused.

“The goal of this initiative is to reduce access, availability and misuse of prescription medications in our community”, said Chief Wayne Kalinski. “We want to make prescription medication less available to those who are selling these drugs on our streets”.

“Most young people who use prescription opioids without a prescription get them from home,” said Rita Isley, Director of Community Health at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. “We want to remind parents to keep opioids and all other drugs in a safe and secure place and to clean out any leftover medications by bringing them to the Orangeville Police during the month of April or a local pharmacist.”

The Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) prohibits anyone from possessing prescribed medications such as Oxycodone, Xanax or any other prescribed medication without a prescription. It is a criminal offence to offer or sell a prescribed medication to another person. Purchasing another person’s prescribed drugs is also illegal. Common prescription drugs being used for non-medical purposes are opioid pain relievers (such as Oxycodone, Xanax, etc.), anti-depressants, and stimulants.

For anyone not able to drop off their medication, Orangeville Police will arrange to pick up the medication from you. For more information or to arrange for medication to be picked up, please call 519-941-2522.

Large quantity of illicit drugs seized

On Monday, April 8, Orangeville Police officers were in the area of Amanda Street and Townline in response to complaints of drug dealing.

As a result of their observations, a vehicle was stopped at approximately 1:00 a.m. and the driver, David Flake, 35, of Milton, was arrested and charged with the following offences: possession of a controlled substance (heroin); possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking section (fentanyl); carrying a concealed weapon; possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public; and breach of a conditional sentence. The approximate street value of the drugs seized is $15,000.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court in Orangeville on April 15, to answer to the allegations.

1,252 pounds of food to Food Bank

The Orangeville Police Service delivered 1,252 pounds of food to the Orangeville Food Bank last Wednesday morning.

Officers delivered the food which included pasta, sauces and juices to the Orangeville Food Bank from a community partner arranged by the Police Service.

“We recognize the need to help the Orangeville Food Bank year round and not just at Thanksgiving or Christmas,” said Constable Scott Davis. “We are proud to be able to help our friends at the Food Bank. We value all of our community partners. Working together makes our community a better place”.

“The Orangeville Police Service has been an excellent community partner supporting the Food Bank for many years. Wednesday’s donation helps us at a time of the year when donations are slower but the need still exists. As we move into spring we will be looking for donations of baby food and formula to assist some of the two hundred children we see each month. Huge thank you to OPS in their generosity as good neighbours, caring for our community”, said Orangeville Food Bank Executive Director Heather Hayes.

In 2018, the Orangeville Police Service initiated the donation of 3,370 pounds of food and secured a $5,000 donation to the Food Bank.

Fail-to-remain collision

Orangeville Police are investigating a fail-at the intersection of Broadway and Blind Line.

On Wednesday, April 3, at approximately 5:40 p.m., police received a call to attend a motor vehicle collision involving two vehicles at the intersection. A silver four-door Acura was struck from behind by a white pick-up truck believed to be a 2012 or 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. A witness reported that the truck reversed from the collision into a nearby driveway and fled the area. It was last seen turning east onto Banting Drive. 

Police say the truck will have damage to the front end with part of the right side of the bumper missing. The truck was also described as having an aluminum extension ladder in the box secured over the cab of the vehicle. The driver is described as a white male in his 50s with short white hair and a thick white moustache.

Police are continuing their investigation and would like to hear from anyone who might have witnessed the collision or who has information regarding the identity of the driver who fled the scene.

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