We’re being encouraged by a Canadian health advocacy group to return all leftover and expired medications to pharmacies this month to prevent potentially harmful use by kids.

Drug Free Kids Canada says National Drug Drop-off month is meant to highlight the issue of the problematic use of prescription drugs by young people.

A 2017 Ontario study found almost 14 per cent of Grade nine to 12 students reported having used a prescription drug for non-medical reasons in the previous year.

The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey also found the most common source for accessing opioids, for instance, were drugs prescribed to parents and siblings.

Last year, 725 tonnes of unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications were returned to local pharmacies across Canada for disposal.