RUMFORD — Law enforcement agencies across the nation will be participating in a Drug Prescription Take Back Day on Oct. 29.

Nationally, approximately 2,500 teens abuse prescription medications on a daily basis, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Proper disposal of medications is a way to combat that staggering statistic.

The DEA reports that nearly one in five teens have used prescription medication to get high and that most teens believe prescription medication is a safer alternative to drugs such as heroine and cocaine.

“It’s a problem in the area,” Mexico police Chief James Theriault said. “I believe even if just one pill is taken off the street, it would help.”

The Maine Integrated Youth Health survey shows Maine’s average for teens who have used prescription drugs to get high is at 20.3 percent for 2009. Oxford County has a higher average: 22.6 percent.

A 2010 Monitoring the Future national survey of trends in young adolescents reported that nearly 40 percent of 12th-graders said they had easy access to prescription medications. The abuse isn’t limited to prescription medications. Trends show an increased use of cough medicines, including ones that contain codeine.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications can be dropped off on Oct. 29 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m at the following locations:

* Rumford Police Department, 150 River St., Rumford.

* Mexico Town Office, 134 Main St., Mexico.

* Dixfield Police Department, 236 Main St., Dixfield.

Rumford Police Department also has agreed to take in medications between now and Oct. 29 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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