1. Safe Medicine Disposal for ME:
2011 Update
Presentation at the 2011
International Symposium on Safe Medicine
Jennifer Crittenden, MSW
Safe Medicine Disposal for ME
Project Director
UMaine Center on Aging
Funded by an allocation from a Fund for Healthy Maine

2. Disclosure
This presenter DOES NOT have an interest in selling a technology, program, product, and/or service to CME/CE professionals.

3. Program Overview Statewide drug mailback program in Maine
Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and an allocation from the Fund for a Healthy Maine
Administered by Maine DEA

4. Program Model
Postage-paid medicine return envelopes are distributed to selected pharmacies and organizations across the state at no cost
Staff members then give the envelopes and an instruction packet to interested participants

5. Summary of Accomplishments
36,400 envelopes distributed statewide
Over 6,500lbs of drugs collected
6,543 surveys collected and analyzed
31% response rate
3,684 telephone calls answered via the program helpline 5

6. Drug Returns Data 20,818 envelopes collected 57% return rate
Over 380,000 pills collected
35,453 tablets of Oxycodone and Oxycodone/APAP collected
The street value of Oxycodone collected from 2008-June 2011 is estimated to be $388,408

7. Consumer Profile Average age of mailback program users:
63 years of age
Age range of those for whom the medicine was prescribed:
1 year – 99 years of age
63% returning their own medicine
20% returning for a deceased family member/friend

8. Consumer Profile
A third of program users would have flushed the medicine
Another 37% would have put the medicine in the trash
79% use the program because it’s best for the environment

9. Collaboration Husson University School of Pharmacy
University of New England College of Pharmacy
Photo credits: Bangor Daily News

10. Collaboration Local pharmacies including Miller Drug
Donated time by community volunteers

11. Collaboration

12. Current Operations Fall 2011
Mailers available through statewide network of participating pharmacies and partnering sites (approx. 150 sites)
Program open to individuals of all ages
Funding in place through spring 2012
No expansion or new sites 12

13. Future Directions
Exploring funding opportunities through private partnerships and research grants
Continue partnerships with pharmacy schools, community pharmacies, volunteers and support takeback events when possible
Piloting mailback with a mental health services provider and a healthcare site (examining new applications)

14. Future Directions
Continue expanding model through partnerships with PA Sea Grant, University of Wisconsin Extension, and other national organizations

15. Want to know more?
Daily operations: Jennifer Crittenden, M.S.W. Project Director Fiscal and Administrative Officer UMaine Center on Aging Project administration: Lenard Kaye, D.S.W./Ph.D. Principal Investigator Director and Professor General Project Information: Phone: ME-RX-RID ( ) Website: