The Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

Events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.

Local collection sites include: 

Auburn: Auburn Police Department, 60 Court St.; Bedard Pharmacy, operated by Auburn Police Department, 359 Minot Ave.

Bethel: Oxford County Sheriff’s Department, Bethel Substation, 18 Mayville Road.

Bridgton: Bridgton Community Center, operated by Bridgton Police Department, 15 Depot St.

Dixfield: Dixfield Police Department, 236 Maine St.

Farmington: Farmington Police Department, medication collection box in lobby, 116 Franklin Ave.; Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, 123 County Way.

Freeport: Freeport Police Department, 16 Main St.

Fryeburg: Rite Aid Pharmacy, operated by Fryeburg Police Department, 119 Bridgton Road.

Gray: Main State Police Troop B, 1 Game Farm Road.

Jay: Hannaford, operated by Jay Police Department, Main Street.

Lewiston: Lewiston High School, operated by Lewiston Police Department, 156 East Ave.

Lisbon: Lisbon Police Department, 300 Lisbon St.

Litchfield: Litchfield Transfer Station, operated by Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, 2274 Hallowell Road.

Livermore Falls: Livermore Falls Police Department, 2 Main St. 

Mechanic Falls: Mechanic Falls Police Department, 18 Lewiston St.

Mexico: Mexico Town Office, operated by Mexico Police Department, 134 Main St.

Monmouth: Monmouth Transfer Station, operated by Monmouth Police Department, 126 Route 135.

Norway: Norway Police Department, 19 Danforth St.

Oxford: Oxford Public Safety Building, operated by Oxford Police Department, 701 Main St.

Paris: Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, 26 Western Ave.; Paris Police Department, 35 Market Square.

Poland: Poland Town Office Complex, operated by Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department, 1231 Maine St.

Rangeley: Rangeley Police Station at Rangeley Town Office Building, operated by Rangley Police Department, 15 School St.

Raymond: Raymond Fire Department, operated by Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, 1443 Roosevelt Trail.

Readfield: Readfield/Wayne Transfer Station, operated by Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, 8 Old Kents Hill Road.

Rumford: Rumford Police Department, 150 River St.

Sabattus: Sabattus Police Department, 190 Middle Road.

Topsham: Topsham Town Hall, operated by Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office and Topsham Police Department, 100 Main St.

Turner: Turner Fire & Rescue Station, 19 General Turner Hill Road.

Wilton: Wilton Police Department, 874 Main St.

Winthrop: Winthrop Police Department, 15 Town Hall Lane.

FMI: takebackday.dea.gov/.

A trashcan full of empty prescription drug containers is seen at the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office in Paris in 2015. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is aimed at curbing theft and the environmental hazards of the drugs, which are sometimes flushed down the drain. The surrendered goods will be incinerated.