In an effort to reduce access to and abuse of prescription drug abuse all 11 police departments in Aroostook County are available to receive and serve as prescription disposal sites all year long. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
According to the Maine Youth Health Integrated Survey, in 2015, 9.4 percent of high school students reported using prescriptions drugs without a doctor’s prescription in their lifetime, and 3.8 percent reported using in the past 30 days.
Residents with any unused or unwanted prescription drugs should take them to their local police department for proper disposal.
The 24/7 Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.
In addition to the 24/7 Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative, Aroostook’s local police departments participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) National Prescription Drug Take-Back events. During the last take back day on April 30, Maine police departments collected 31,960 pounds of medications.
The next National Prescription Drug-Take Back event will be on October 22 from 10 a.m.-2p.m. All Aroostook County law enforcement agencies will be participating.
Editor’s note: For smaller police department, there may not be an officer in the building 24/7. Please call ahead before you drop off prescription medications.
