Auburn, Maine (September 21, 2012) — On Saturday, September 29, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, Bedard in Auburn is hosting a Free Medicine Disposal Day in partnership with Healthy Androscoggin and Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG). This is a chance for everyone in the community to safely dispose of prescription, over-the-counter, or veterinary medicines that are expired, unused, and unwanted. Bedard’s Auburn campus is located at 359 Minot Avenue.

This initiative addresses important issues of public safety and public health. Large amounts of unused medicines in the home are dangerous and have been found to be a leading cause of accidental poisonings in the United States. These medicines are also highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse are high in Maine. According to a recent report from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Maine has the highest percentage of residents who seek treatment for addiction to prescription narcotics.

Bedard encourages the public to take advantage of this free service. By bringing in unwanted and expired medications to events like these, people are playing a powerful role in the prevention of prescription drug abuse. Studies show that a majority of abuse prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

For more information, check out www.healthyandroscoggin.org

About Bedard

Bedard is a third generation-owned Pharmacy, Senior Care Pharmacy and Durable Medical Equipment and Supplies company now located at 359 Minot Avenue in Auburn. Bedard Pharmacy at 61 College Street in Lewiston remains open. Bedard is nationally accredited with The Joint Commission and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). After more than 110 years of service, Bedard Pharmacy remains an industry leader by combining old-fashioned customer service with leading-edge skills and state-of-the-art technology.

For more information, call (207) 786-0139 or 1-888-BEDARDS (toll-free), or visit www.bedardpharmacy.com.