It Takes All Of Us To Prevent Prescription Medication Misuse
According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA), prescription drug misuse is a serious public health concern. Most people who began misusing prescription medications were able to get them with ease from the medicine cabinets of family and friends. This misuse is especially dangerous for prescription opioids and other medications with a high risk of dependence. Four out of five people who use heroin reported first misusing prescription opioids.
The good news is that we all have a role in preventing prescription medication misuse and there are some fairly simple things we can do.
Drug Take-Back Day
Each April and October you can drop off expired, unused, and unneeded medications at participating locations. The DEA collaborates with law enforcement offices throughout the country to host take back events twice a year, held in April and October.
Learn about home medication disposal methods so you can safely throw out unused, expired, or unwanted medications.
Video: How to Safely Dispose of Unused or Expired Medicine
Harm Reduction
Overdose Response Training
Also available in Somali, Portuguese, French, Farsi, Arabic, and Spanish.
Good Samaritan Law in Maine
Allows a person to seek medical assistance for yourself or a person experiencing a drug-related overdose without legal consequences in most cases.
Click to download in English.
Also available in other languages:
Good Samaritan Flyer Make the Call Arabic
Good Samaritan Flyer Make the Call French
Resources
Parents & Guardians
Medication Safety Posters from the Northern New England Poison Center
Downloads available in multiple languages.
Pets
NNEPC.org Northern New England Poison Control: 1-800-222-2122
Youth
NNEPC.org Northern New England Poison Control: 1-800-222-2122
School Staff
NNEPC.org Northern New England Poison Control: 1-800-222-2122
Realtors
Community
NNEPC.org Northern New England Poison Control: 1-800-222-2122
Other Resources
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Cumberland County Crisis Response: 1-207-774-4357 (Quick and local response; based out of Portland)
Maine Intentional Warmline: 1-866-771-9276 (not in immediate crisis situation, but need to talk to someone; mental health peer-to-peer phone support line for adults 18 and older)
NAMI Teen Text Line: 207-515-8398 Teen peer support text line for youth 14 to 20 years of age staffed by individuals under 23 years of age. (Daily 12pm – 10pm)
Resources to support tobacco/vaping cessation: Text “MAINE” to 88709 for free, confidential and judgement-free support to quit smoking or vaping. Call 1-844-9NO-VAPE (1-844-966-8273) to talk with a Quit Coach who can answer questions and create a personalized plan.
Maine Quitlink: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Maine Statewide Crisis Hotline: 888-568-1112 (Call or Text)
National Suicide Prevention: 800-273-8255
Westbrook Recovery Liaison: Danielle Rideout, 207-303-4009 (Call or Text)
