Maine National Guard Partners with Local Law Enforcement for Drug Take Back Event

AUGUSTA, ME (04/16/2018) (readMedia)-- AUGUSTA – The Maine National Guard is partnering with the Augusta Police and Kennebec Country Sheriff's Office for a Prescription Drug Take Back event at the Augusta Armory on Friday, April 20th from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of these drugs while also education the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Volunteers from all three organizations will be available from 9:00 to 1:00 PM at the Augusta Armory, 179 Western Avenue, to accept unwanted prescriptions. After the collection, the drugs will be safely and responsibly disposed of by law enforcement personnel. Please do not bring used needles to this event.

The Maine National Guard first partnered with the two law enforcement agencies in 2016 to assist the local community with helping to remove unused and expired prescription drugs. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was founded in 2010 by the Drug Enforcement Administration, has since collected over 9 million pounds of medicine from the public. The biannual event helps create partnerships and provides a safe place to dispose of medications that could otherwise cause both safety and environmental hazards.

The majority of prescription drug users report that they get their drugs from friends and family. Cleaning out old prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers, and bedside tables reduces accidents, thefts and the misuse and abuse of these medications, including opioid pain killers.

Media interested in covering the event may visit any time during the hours of collection, but preferably between 09:30 and 11:30 AM for interviews.