Police to collect unwanted medications
Most of us have prescription medications in our homes and, while many prescription drugs are safe when used as prescribed, when used incorrectly prescription drugs can be as dangerous and addictive as illegal drugs. In fact, Maine has a significant problem with prescription drug misuse and abuse.
On Saturday, Oct. 29, all local police departments in Aroostook County will be participating in a National Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to bring attention to the issue of prescription drug abuse. For more information, call your local police department or contact Carol Bell of Healthy Aroostook at 768-3030 ext 629.
In 2010, there were more deaths related to prescription drugs than to traffic accidents. According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, much of the increase in Maine’s 2010 crime rate was due to burglaries and robberies related to prescription drug misuse and abuse.
The percentage of Mainers seeking treatment for prescription drug addiction is the highest in the nation.
While the reasons for these problems are complex, research shows that family and friends’ home medicine cabinets are the primary places where teens get the prescriptions they abuse.
And it is not just teens. Anyone coming into a home can help themselves to medications that are not locked up. Break-ins and burglaries are often in the news. Since most people don’t lock up medications or monitor what they have, people who are addicted to medications or want drugs to sell know where to look.
Protect yourself and your community: lock up prescriptions, monitor prescriptions, and bring unwanted prescriptions to local police departments.
Departments accepting unwanted medications Saturday include: Ashland Police Department, 17 Bridgham Street, Ashland; Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Lake Health Center, 10 Carter Street, Eagle Lake; Fort Fairfield Police Department, 18 Community Center Drive, Fort Fairfield; Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, Horizons Health Services, 106 Main Street, Mars Hill; Presque Isle Police Department, 43 North Street, Suite 2, Presque Isle; and Washburn Police Department, 1287 Main Street, Washburn.
For more information, contact your local department or visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.
