Legislature enacts Sen. Carney bill to establish a stronger drug take-back program

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, a bill from Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, was enacted by the Maine Senate. The bill, LD 8, “An Act to Support Collection and Proper Disposal of Unwanted Drugs,” would increase access to drug take-back programs.

“Passage of LD 8 greatly improves Maine’s ability to prevent improper disposal of unwanted drugs,” said Sen. Carney. “The safe, convenient new program for disposal of unwanted drugs at the pharmacy will keep unwanted drugs from contributing to substance use disorder and from contaminating our water supply. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting this important public health and environmental protection legislation.”

LD 8 mandates that specific drug manufacturers work together to create a drug take-back program that is more accessible and reliable than drug take-back programs currently in use. Its purpose is to protect against the inappropriate use of drugs, especially by minors, and to account for the environmental concerns based on the way drugs currently are disposed of in Maine. This bill originally was introduced in the 129th Legislature by then-Sen. Geoff Gratwick, D-Bangor. LD 8 is an updated version of the previous bill, reflecting extensive work with many stakeholders.

The bill now goes to Gov. Janet Mills for her to sign into law, veto or allow to become law without her signature.

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