Police, DEA accepting prescription drugs

Westbrook Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

Residents can take medications for disposal on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to Westbrook Public Safety Building, 570 Main St. Westbrook. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds –188 tons – of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Latham named to Peabody board

Chad Latham of Westbrook has been named to the board of directors of Frannie Peabody Center, Maine’s largest HIV/AIDS service organization, in Portland.

Latham is a real estate agent for The Teri Ouelette Group of Keller Williams Realty. Prior to joining Keller Williams, he was with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

A native of Michigan, he has lived in Maine for more than15 years and is an expert in restoration of antique furniture and homes, including one featured on HGTV’s 2009 lineup.

Senior dining cafe? meal, speaker

Southern Maine Agency on Aging is sponsoring a Senior Dining Community Cafe? meal at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge St., Westbrook.

A meat loaf dinner with vegetable, roll, dessert (low- sugar option available) and beverage will be served. Make reservations by Friday, Oct. 21, by calling 878-3285. Suggested donation is $5 for age 60 and up and $7 for those under 60.

A representative from Legal Services will speak at 11:30 p.m.

Fair trade craft show, ‘taste of Africa’

Trinity Lutheran church at 612 Main St., across from Mr. Bagel and Subway, in Westbrook is hosting an open house event on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

With the support of Karen Burnell of Windham, a fair trade supporter and owner of Karma Fair Trade, the church will provide the venue for a variety of items that are certified authentic fair trade products available for purchase. Some of the unique items will be baskets from Ghana, jewelry, purses, home goods, kid toys, wooden puzzles, recycled products, coffee, chocolates and more.

“All products have been produced or created from a variety of farmers and artisans from all over the world. The idea behind fair trade is to connect producers and consumers in a more equitable, meaningful and sustainable way,” Brenda Orach, social ministry chairwoman, said in a statement.

Orch said this event will also begin an alternative holiday gift-giving program that Trinity has supported for over a decade. The idea will be to donate funds in the name of gift recipients for drought and famine relief in the Horn of Africa. Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are currently suffering the worst drought and famine in 60 years.

Trinity also provides the venue for the local Ethiopian community and hosts a weekly traditional Ethiopian/Eritrean community worship service at 3 p.m. During the Fair Trade show there will be an opportunity to try a “Taste of Africa” with traditional Ethiopian dishes. For more information, call Trinity’s church office at 854-5653.