CARRABASSETT VALLEY — The Carrabassett Valley Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will conduct a prescription drug take-back program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30 at the Police Department at Sugarloaf Mountain.

The purpose is to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. People living in northern Franklin County and looking for a place to dispose of unwanted pills, are asked to bring your them to the department. The service is free and anonymous.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s department will have a collection site established in Farmington and the Rangeley Police Department will also have a disposal site available.

Last September, Americans turned in 242,000 pounds – 121 tons – of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.

The program addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, officials said. 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.

Americans are 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.

The Carrabassett Valley Police Department is accessed by going to the end of the Sugarloaf Access road, go through the metal gate, turn left then park near one of the police vehicles. The entrance to the department is next to the sign that reads “Sugarloaf Public Safety Office.”

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