Pills found in Orléans parks identified as over-the-counter and prescription medications

The pills found in three Orléans parks have been identified as over-the-counter and prescription medications, and not illicit drugs, according to preliminary analysis by Ottawa police.

After “suspicious” pills were located in Blue Willow Park , Silverbirch Park and Ruisseau Park within the past week, the Ottawa Police Service said its emergency services unit conducted an extensive grid search of the three parks and found additional pills, bringing the total count above 200.

All three parks are located in close proximity to each other in the neighbourhood south of the Innes Road and Orléans Boulevard intersection.

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So far, police said, there have been no reported illnesses involving people or animals who have ingested the pills.

“The Ottawa Police Service is reminding residents to use caution when visiting the parks with children and pets, as some medications can be harmful if consumed without medical direction or accidentally ingested,” police said in an Aug. 27 news release.

After the first pills were reported by a concerned resident at Blue Willow Park, police reported on Aug. 22 that the pills were of various sized, types and colours and were scattered near bushes and trees and on the grass and concealed inside acorns.

In another release on Aug. 23, police said officers discovered more pills scattered around Silverbirch Park. Then, on Aug. 24, police announced pills had also been found at Ruisseau Park after officers conducted searches of several parks in the area.

No other pills or unknown substances were found at other parks, police said on Aug. 24.

Meanwhile, officers again reminded residents not to touch or handle pills or suspicious substances. Anyone finding additional pills was asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service immediately at 613-236-1222 so an officer could attend and safely retrieve them.