LEWISTON – The first Androscoggin County Medicine Disposal Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Lewiston High School.

The disposal is a drive-through operation in which people can safely hand over old and unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. There will be police present to supervise the collection, which is being coordinated by Lewiston police, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, Healthy Androscoggin, Lewiston public schools, local hospitals and others.

People are being asked, if possible, to bring medicines in their original containers so organizers can identify the names of the medications.

Organizers will accept expired or unwanted prescriptions, vitamins, veterinary medications, homeopathic treatments and over-the-counter medicines. They will not accept mercury thermometers, needles or syringes, or electronic equipment.

“People need a safe and easy way to get rid of their old medicines,” said Jayne Harper, substance abuse prevention manager of Healthy Androscoggin. Of particular concern are painkillers such as morphine and codeine, and stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall.

The disposal event offers a safe way for people to get rid of medicines without flushing them down the drain and into waterways, or throwing them in the trash. Organizers say the disposal event protects the environment and also prevents youth drug abuse and protects the elderly from being targeted for drug thefts.

For more information, contact AVCOG at 783-9186, avcog.org, or Healthy Androscoggin at 795-5990, healthyandroscoggin.org.