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SKOWHEGAN — The public is asked to help prevent prescription drug misuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion and misuse. Rates of prescription drug misuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, Americans are now advised that the old methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Prescriptions can be dropped off, no questions asked. Collection sites in Somerset County:
Skowhegan: Skowhegan Police Department, 225 Water St.
Skowhegan: Maine State Police, Troop C Barracks, 162 W Front St.
Fairfield: Fairfield Police Department, 75 Water St.
Madison: Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Somerset County Jail, 131 E Madison Road.
Madison: Somerset County Sheriff’s Office – Madison Division, 26 Weston Ave.
Pittsfield: Pittsfield Police Department, 112 Somerset Ave.
Jackman:Somerset County Sheriff’s Office – Jackman Division, 4 Heald Stream Road.
Last spring Americans turned in nearly 475 tons (949,046 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,700 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 15 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 10 million pounds — nearly 5,000 tons — of pills.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com or www.facebook.com/SomersetPublicHealth.
