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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Officials say Maine has collected nearly 24,000 pounds of unused medication during its first statewide drug take-back program.
The Maine Sheriffs' Association partnered with local police departments, Eco-Maine and Poland Spring to take over the program initially developed by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
The national drug collection effort was discontinued due to a regulation and funding changes. Officials in Maine decided to keep it going.
DEA spokesman Matt Barden says new federal regulations allow citizens to return any unwanted medication throughout the year to police, pharmacies or other agencies willing to run the program.
Authorities say the medication was destroyed after it was collected Saturday.
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