Secure Your Meds, Protect Your Loved Ones: The Importance of Safe Medication Storage and Disposal
People who misuse prescription drugs often report getting them from the homes of family, friends, and acquaintances. You can make a difference by keeping track of the medicine you have, by rethinking where and how you keep your medications in your home, and by safely disposing of any unused medications.
Storing medication safely is essential to prevent accidental poisoning and misuse, especially in households with children and pets. Kids and pets can easily mistake medications for candy or food, leading to serious health risks, such as overdose or toxic reactions. According to the CDC, medications are the leading cause of child poisoning, with thousands of children treated in emergency rooms each year for accidental ingestion of medications. Pets are also vulnerable, as even a small dose of human medication can be harmful to them, sometimes fatally.
To store medications safely, keep them in a locked cabinet or drawer, out of reach and sight of children and pets. Avoid storing them in easy-access areas like bathroom cabinets or kitchen counters. Use child-resistant containers, and never refer to medicine as "candy" to children, as this can create dangerous associations. Safe disposal of expired or unused medications is equally important.
National Drug Takeback Day is Saturday, October 26th. This is a perfect time to get rid of old and unused medications safely.
Why Proper Disposal of Medications Matters
Safely storing or disposing of expired or unused medications is crucial for protecting public health, animals, and the environment. When medications are not disposed of properly, they pose serious risks:
Expired or unused prescription drugs can be misused if left unsecured, contributing to addiction and overdose risks.
Improperly discarded medications can be stolen or sold illegally, fueling drug diversion and misuse.
Medications that are flushed down toilets or thrown in the trash can contaminate our soil and water resources and harm wildlife.
Safe Disposal Options
Prescription Drug Drop Boxes
Since 2013, in collaboration with the Maine Prevention Network, Maine CDC, Drug-Free Communities, local law enforcement, and pharmacies, Healthy Acadia has installed and maintained prescription drug drop boxes throughout Hancock and Washington counties. These resources make it easier for community members to safely dispose of unused or expired medications.
Drop boxes are available across our regions to provide free, safe, anonymous disposal of prescription drugs.* Please contact your nearest drop box location for operating hours.
*NO syringes, liquids, medical devices, needles, broken glass, or sharps of any kind can be accepted through drop boxes. Contact your healthcare provider or local medical center for information regarding the proper disposal of these items. For more information about safe disposal of needles, syringes, or medical sharps click here or call the Maine DEP Biomedical Waste Program at (207) 287-7704.
Washington County, Maine, Drop Box Locations
Eastport Police Department | 22 Washington Street, Eastport | 207-853-4353
Indian Township Police Department | 443 U.S. Route 1 | 207-796-2704
Machias Police Department | 17 Stackpole Drive, Machias | 207-255-8558
Milbridge Police Department | 22 School Street, Milbridge | 207-546-2422
Walgreens Pharmacy | 223 North Street, Calais | 207-454-2262
Walgreens Pharmacy | 144 Dublin Street, Machias | 207-255-3458
Washington County Sheriff's Office | 83 Court Street, Machias | 207-255-3434
Hancock County, Maine, Drop Box Locations
Bar Harbor Police Department | 37 Firefly Lane, Bar Harbor | 207-288-3391
Bucksport Police Department | 89 Franklin Street, Bucksport | 207-469-7951
Community Pharmacy of Bucksport | 75 Main Street, Bucksport | 207-469-7030
Ellsworth Police Department | 416 High Street, Ellsworth | 207-667-2168
Gouldsboro Police Department | 59 Main Street, Prospect Harbor | 207-963-5566
Hancock County Sheriff's Office | 50 State Street, Ellsworth | 207-667-7575
Hannaford Pharmacy | 225 High Street, Suite 1, Ellsworth | 207-667-3732
Mount Desert Police Department | 21 Sea Street, Northeast Harbor | 207-276-5111
Northern Light Blue Hill Memorial Hospital | 57 Water Street, Blue Hill | 207-374-3400
Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital | 50 Union Street, Ellsworth | 207-667-5311
Northern Light Pharmacy | 161 High Street, Ellsworth | 207-910-4146
OSCO (Shaw’s) Pharmacy | 175 High Street, Ellsworth | 207-669-3005
Southwest Harbor Police Department | 26 Village Green Way, Southwest Harbor | 207-244-7911
Medication Mail-back Supply Locations
If a drop box is not convenient, you may opt to mail your unwanted medications to a registered facility for safe disposal. Mail-back supply locations are available throughout Hancock and Washington counties. For more information, visit www.medtakebackmaine.org.
Deterra Drug Deactivation Pouches
If you are unable to access a drop box or take-back event in your community, Healthy Acadia has a limited number of Deterra medication deactivation pouches available. The Deterra medication deactivation system is a drug deactivation pouch that neutralizes over-the-counter medicine and prescription medicine to provide a safe and convenient alternative to other disposal mechanisms. The Deterra pouch is easy to use and once medications have been placed into the pouch, it can be thrown away with your regular household trash.