Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. To alleviate those potentials the Knox and Waldo County Sheriff's offices, the Maine State Sheriff's Association and area police departments are holding drug take-back programs April 25.

From 10 a.m to 2 p.m., unused, expired and unwanted prescription non-liquid drugs can be dropped off at the Vinalhaven Fire and EMS building, Warren Fire and EMS and Union Fire and EMS, at which Knox County Sheriff’s deputies will be on hand. Unwanted prescription drugs can also be dropped off that Saturday at police departments in Belfast, Camden and Rockland. In Thomaston, unwanted drugs can be dropped off with officers at Lowes on Route 1.

This latest drug take-back will mark the 10th time in four years that Mainers have been given the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs. The take-back program is only for pills and patches, as they cannot accept liquids, injectibles or needles (sharps), inhalers and thermometers for disposal.

According to Knox County Chief Deputy Tim Carroll, the Drug Enforcement Agency and its partners had previously taken in more than 3.4 million pounds of pills.

"Due to funding issues, the DEA has opted to back out of this program, but it has since been picked up by the Maine Sheriffs' Association, as it sees the great benefit of such a program," said Carroll in a press release Wednesday afternoon. "Most law enforcement agencies in the state are participating in this program now sponsored by MSA."

According to the Maine Sheriff's Association, rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Rockport won't officially be participating that day, but to make arrangements to drop off drugs, call 236-2027and request that an officer come to your house or meet you at the police station.

Belfast Police Chief Mike McFadden said that the Belfast Police Department accepts unused drug drop-offs seven days a week, 24 hours a day, as a normal practice.

“I hate the thought of these ‘Drug Take Back Days’ creating the thought in the community that they have to wait for one of these days to bring their unused drugs in,” said McFadden.

 Following are protocols for disposal:
• Controlled, non-controlled and over the counter substances may be collected
• Participants may dispose of medication in its original container or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box. If an original container is submitted, the individual should be encouraged to remove any identifying information from the prescription label.
• All solid dosage solid pharmaceutical products in consumer containers may be accepted.
• Intra-venous solutions, injectibles, and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.

Knox County collection event sites:
• Warren Fire Dept. - 167 Western Road
• Vinalhaven Fire Dept. - 56 W. Main St.
• Union Fire Dept. - 567 Common Road
• Camden Police Dept. - 31 Washington St.
• Rockland Police Dept. - 1 Police Plaza
• Thomaston Police Dept. - Lowes, 164 New County Road
• Belfast Police Dept. - 45 Congress St.