The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration along with local law enforcement agencies have coordinated a national "take back your meds" day this Saturday. From 10 to 2, many police and sheriff's departments are collecting your unwanted and expired medications.

This is a great opportunity to clean out your medicine cabinet by properly disposing of drugs you no longer need. Medicines in the home are the leading source of accidental poisoning and flushed or trashed medications can end up polluting our waters.

Abuse of prescription drugs is a growing problem in our state, partly because they are so easy to come by. There are some precautions you can take, like not keeping your prescription medications in your bathroom. It's so easy for a visitor to your home to shut themselves in the bathroom and steal your medications. And if you no longer need them, get rid of them this weekend.

However, Take-back day is not only about prescription medications. Over-the-counter drugs will be accepted along with your pet's medications. Inhalers, medicated ointments, and liquid medications are all eligible for take-back day.

Some of the local agencies taking part include Bangor PD, Ellsworth, PD, the Penobscot County Sheriff's office, Dexter PD,  and the Dover-Foxcroft PD. To find out where you can safely dispose of medications, call your local police department.  And if you can't make it for take-back day, there are agencies in Maine that can take your unwanted medications throughout the year. Click here for a list of those locations!

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