AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Department of Public Safety says more than 19,000 pounds of prescription drugs were handed over to law enforcement agencies during the National Drug Take-Back initiative over the weekend.
The goal of the day was to ensure that people have a safe and responsible way to get rid of unwanted or unused prescription drugs, which can contaminate water if they're thrown in the toilet or down the sink. It also aimed to protect against medications from being stolen, abused or accidentally ingested.
The figure of 19,060 pounds from Saturday's event was compiled by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.
Steve McCausland from the Maine Department of Public Safety said the total from nine collections in Maine adds up to more than 152,000 pounds.