The Knox County Community Health Coalition, Knox County Sheriffs Office, and the Rockland Police Department are working together to provide safe, environmentally friendly disposal of unwanted or unused medications through Deterra Bags.

The biodegradable bags allow the at-home disposal of medications. In a simple three-step process, a user deactivates the drugs by putting them in a Deterra pouch or container, adding water, shaking, and throwing it away, according to a news release from the organizations.

The patented Deterra System deactivates prescription drugs, pills, patches, liquids, creams, and films. This renders them inert, unavailable for misuse and safe for the environment, the release said. This is helpful between drug take-back events or for those who cannot get transportation to a safe disposal location like the police department. 

According to information posted at the Deterra website: “Each patented Deterra Pouch contains a water-soluble inner pod containing proprietary activated carbon. Once the drugs are placed in the pouch, warm water is added, which dissolves the inner pod, releasing the activated carbon. Deterra works on pills, patches, liquids, creams and films allowing them to be adsorbed by the carbon, rendering them inert and non-retrievable for all practical purposes.”

Ttwo-thirds of teens who misused prescriptions for pain in the past year got them from family and friends, including their home’s medicine cabinets, making it essential to safeguard medicine in the home, the release said, citing data issued by Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

“The Rockland Police Department is always proud to partner with KCCHC,” said Rockland Police Chief Tim Carroll. “Being able to provide Deterra bags to create a safer community through drug disposal education is one more opportunity we get to provide service through collaboration.”

Pick up free Deterra pouches today by stopping by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office or Rockland Police Department.

Funding for this project was provided by Maine CDC/Maine Prevention Services.

“A big thank you to Sheriff Polky and Chief Carroll for their commitment to the communities they serve,” the release said.

Knox County Sheriff’s Office, (207) 594-0429, 301 Park St, Rockland, ME 04841

Rockland Police Department, (207) 594-0316, 1 Police Plaza, Rockland, ME 04841

To learn more about getting involved locally, contact Jamie Lovley, Substance Use Prevention Specialist, Knox County Community Health Coalition – 236.6313, Ext. 4; jamielovleykcchc@gmail.com