KNOX/WALDO counties — The Knox County Sheriff's Office, and Camden, Thomaston and Rockland police departments are participating in today's national Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative. In Waldo County, the Waldo County Sheriff's Office and Belfast, Searsport and Lincolnville police departments are also on standby today, taking unwanted drugs, checking car seats and providing "Yellow Dot" and fire safety information.

In Knox County, the KSO is set up to take back unwanted and unused drugs at the fire stations in Vinalhaven (56 West St.), Union (567 Common Road) and Warren (167 Western Road). Camden police are set up at Camden First Aid Association (corner of John Street and Simonton Road), Thomaston police are at Lowe's Home Center on New County Road (Route 1) and Rockland police are collecting at the Rockland City Hall, 270 Pleasant St.

In Waldo County, the WSO is manning collection sites set up at their offices at 45 Congress St. and 6 Public Safety Way. Lincolnville police are set up at the town office (493 Hope Road), while Belfast and Searsport police are set up at their stations, located at 112 Church St. and 4993 Union St., respectively.

Most sites are open until 2 p.m. today, April 27.

The free program aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.

Along with the drug take back, nearly all the agencies are offering free Yellow Dot registration, fire safety information, and child safety seat checks. Yellow Dot is a free program designed to help first responders provide life-saving medical attention during that first "golden hour" after a crash or other emergency. A "Yellow Dot" decal in the driver's-side rear window of your vehicle will alert first responders that vital medical information is stored in the glove compartment.

The events are part of a larger state initiative coordinated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, working with state and local law enforcement that focuses on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation's medicine cabinets. Persons wishing to dispose of over the counter and prescriptions drug that are either expired or no longer needed may drop them off and dispose of the drugs by placing them into a designated disposal box in either the original container or by disposing the prescription directly into the box. No identification is necessary for participants to drop off unwanted prescription drugs.

All solid dosage pharmaceutical product and liquids, such as cough syrup, should remain in their original container with the cap tightly secured to prevent leakage. Intra-venous solutions, injectibles, and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens. Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not accepted as part of this initiative.

For more information on the National Take-Back Initiative, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback.