On Saturday, April 28 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. law enforcement agencies across the state and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give Maine residents another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
To find a collection site near you, visit www.DontFlushME.org.
Other communities have anonymous lock boxes where residents can dispose of medications – no questions asked.
- Fairfield Police Station, M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Madison Police Station, M-F: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Pittsfield Town Office/Police Station, M-F: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Skowhegan Police Station, M-F: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Somerset Sheriff’s Office, M-F: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines in the home are at risk to theft, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in Maine 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—pose potential safety and health hazards.
Help keep chemicals out of the environment and reduce access to medications that can be misused. Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medications, i.e., tablets and capsules, will be accepted.
Intravenous solutions, injectables and needles will not be accepted. Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.
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