AUGUSTA — Dozens of local county and state law enforcement agencies throughout Maine participated in a national drug take-back initiative Saturday.

Collection points were open across the state as part of the effort to give households a place to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs.

Michael Wardrop, resident agent in charge for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, said Maine has collected 106,000 pounds of drugs over the last seven collections. He said last year’s total was 22, 260 pounds.

The initiative is designed to ensure that drugs don’t contaminate the water supply, which can happen when medications are disposed of down the sink or toilet. It also aims to protect against medications being stolen, abused or accidentally ingested.


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