Attorney General Schneider Announces Prescription Take-Back Day

April 25, 2011

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

AUGUSTA ? Maine Attorney General William J. Schneider today joined other local, state and federal law enforcement partners to announce the second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, April 30th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prescription drugs are being misused and abused at alarming rates today, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and addiction. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. The Take-Back Day gives the public an opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

?Mainers need to know that prescription drugs, used without a prescription or a doctor?s supervision, can be as dangerous as street drugs,? said Attorney General Schneider. ?In the last 10 years, the number of deaths from misuse of prescription drugs has more than doubled in Maine. Prescription drug abuse is a national epidemic that has become Maine?s most serious drug problem.?

Last September, Americans turned in over 242,000 pounds -121 tons- of prescription drugs nationwide. This Saturday more than 150 collection sites will be set up in communities across Maine where residents can bring unused or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

To find a collection site, go to http://www.justice.gov/dea/ and click the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day icon.

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CONTACT: Brenda Kielty (207)626-8577