Do you have expired or unwanted medications?
Each spring and fall you will have an opportunity to safely dispose of any expired or unwanted medications that have been collecting in your medicine cabinet. Healthy Androscoggin, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, the Lewiston-Auburn Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative and other community partners collaborate twice a year to bring this program to the Lewiston and Auburn area. The next medicine disposal will be held Saturday, April 28th from 10am - 2pm. Medicines can be taken to Farwell Elementary School in Lewiston or Central Fire Station in Auburn.
The medicine collection programs are drive-thru operations where residents can simply drive up and safely hand off their medications. Police officers from Lewiston and Auburn Police Departments are on site to supervise the collection. The medication collection events are a part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take Back Initiatives.
What to bring:
- Expired or unwanted prescription medications
- Vitamins
- Veterinary medications
- Homeopathic treatments
- Over the counter medicines
**If possible, please bring medicines in their original container!**
What not to bring:
We cannot dispose of mercury thermometers, needles or syringes, or electronic equipment.
Substance Abuse Prevention
This initiative addresses important issues of public safety and public health. Large amounts of unused medicines in the home are dangerous and have been found to be a leading cause of accidental poisonings in the United States. These medicines are also highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse are high in Maine. According to a recent report from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Maine has the highest percentage of residents who seek treatment for addiction to prescription narcotics.
Studies show that a majority of abuse prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. By bringing your unwanted and expired medications to events like these, you are playing a powerful role in the prevention of prescription drug abuse.
To learn more prescription drug abuse prevention tips click here.
Thank you to our sponsors!
The Medicine Disposal Day is sponsored by the Lewiston-Auburn Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
If you need more information or have any questions about this event, please call us at 795-2120.
