The federal government's decision to allow the sale of generic OxyContin has a Nova Scotian father calling for more efforts to stop prescription drug trafficking.

John Munro's stepdaughter Brianne died two years ago after drinking alcohol and taking the prescription painkiller Dilaudid at a party. It was the first time she'd ever misused such a drug, Munro believes.

He said such deaths appear to be all-too frequent and "many of them are young people, 16 to 21, and many have just used it for the first time and had no idea of the risks involved."

Brianne Ashley was about to turn 21 when she died.

Brianne was just 20. Munro called for police, politicians and parents to do more to prevent such deaths. As such drugs are originally issued by doctors, he wants better provincial regulations around prescriptions for powerful painkillers.

"I think we need tighter regulations on prescription drugs. They're pain pills, but they're getting into the market and being used illegally," he said.

Dave Wilson, Nova Scotia's health minister, said the province is making improvements.

"That's why in April we extended the prescription monitoring program to 24/7, so we recognize the importance of the program," he said Tuesday.

Munro said there must be more education for teachers, parents, grandparents and young people.