Time to take back drugs
Nearly 230 local law enforcement agencies will participate in Drug Take Back Day across the state, Saturday, Oct. 24. Wisconsinites are encouraged to dispose of unwanted and unused medications, at Drug Take Back and drug disposal locations.
“The opioid epidemic continues to impact families across Wisconsin,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “One step Wisconsinites can take to help fight diversion and addiction, is to properly dispose of unused medications at drug drop boxes around the state.”
Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the community about the potential abuse and consequences of improper storage, and disposal of these medications.
To find a Drug Take Back Location, visit doseofrealitywi. gov.
Unused or expired medicine should never be flushed, or poured down the drain. Water reclamation facilities are not designed to remove all of them, and trace amounts of pharmaceuticals are showing up in rivers and lakes.
All waste pharmaceuticals must be generated by a household – no businesses are allowed. Included in the “bring list,” are prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications.
Items not accepted are illegal drugs, needles/sharps, acids, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas) and mercury thermometers.
Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box, or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages without the medications removed are acceptable.
Liquids will be accepted during this initiative. However, the liquids, creams and sprays must be in their original packaging. Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.
Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative, and should not be placed in collection containers.
