OLD TOWN (AP) – A pilot program in Maine that lets people safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs is due to be expanded this fall.

Maine recently won a $150,000 EPA grant to become the first state to launch its Safe Medicine Disposal for ME program. The goal is to get people to safely dispose of drugs instead of flushing them, which allows trace amounts to end up in rivers, streams and groundwater.

Self-addressed drug mail-back envelopes are available for consumers at 11 pharmacies in four counties, Penobscot, Kennebec, Cumberland and Aroostook.

So far, 35 packets of unwanted or unneeded medicines already have been mailed to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency in Westbrook.



Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

AP-ES-06-05-08 0847EDT


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