Keeping Our Communities Safe: Expanding Access to Safe Storage and Disposal Tools

Adapted from report contributed by Mia Petrini, Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Hancock County, Mia@healthyacadia.org; and Darrean Thornton, Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Washington County, Darrean.Thornton@healthyacadia.org.

Across Washington and Hancock counties, substance use continues to be a serious public health challenge. Data from the Maine State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) show that the Downeast Public Health District has higher-than-average emergency department visits related to cannabis use, with 40.9 visits per 10,000 residents compared to 37.4 statewide (2021 data).

At the same time, Washington County has the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in Maine. According to County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, the rate was 80 deaths per 100,000 people between 2021 and 2023. Most of these deaths, about 76%, were caused by opioid overdoses.

These numbers underscore the importance of prevention efforts that protect people of all ages and reduce the risk of accidental harm.

A Prevention-Focused Approach

Healthy Acadia’s Substance Use Prevention (SUP) team is working to address these challenges by promoting safe storage and disposal of prescription medications and cannabis. These strategies help prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of accidental ingestion — especially for children, teens, and others who may be vulnerable.

From July through November 2025, the SUP team distributed free, easy-to-use storage and disposal tools throughout Washington and Hancock counties. These tools were shared at community fairs and tabling events, through in-person distribution at recovery centers, food pantries, and with support from local partners, including cannabis retailers, pharmacies, hospice providers, and other health care organizations.

Every interaction included education about why safe storage and proper disposal matter and how these tools can help keep families and communities safer.

Tools That Make a Difference

The resources shared included:

  • Lockable bags

  • Lockable boxes

  • Deterra® pouches, which safely deactivate medications so they can be thrown away in household trash

Together, these tools help reduce access to controlled substances and prevent unintentional exposure to potentially harmful medications.

At a Glance

  • Safe storage and disposal of prescription drugs and cannabis helps prevent unauthorized access and accidental ingestion.

  • This approach is a key part of Healthy Acadia’s public health prevention toolkit.

  • From July through November 2025, nearly 1,600 safe storage and disposal tools were shared across the Downeast District, along with education about their importance.

Meaningful Results in Just Six Months

In less than six months, Healthy Acadia’s SUP team and community partners distributed:

  • 335 lockable bags

  • 129 lockable boxes

  • 1,127 Deterra pouches

By working closely with recovery centers, food pantries, a BIPOC-serving organization, and health care providers, particularly in rural communities, we helped ensure these resources reached people who need them most.

When paired with education, safe storage and disposal tools play an important role in preventing emergency department visits, overdoses, and overdose deaths. These efforts help protect families, support recovery, and strengthen community health across Washington and Hancock counties.

Healthy Acadia remains committed to prevention strategies that meet people where they are and make it easier to choose safety — for ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.

This work was made possible with support from Maine Prevention Network, an initiative of Maine CDC.

POSTTracey Carlsonsubstance prevention, safe storage, safe disposal, safe prescription storage and disposal, safe cannabis storage, SPR, HPM