UNDATED (WSAU) — Wisconsin is again taking part in Drug Take Back Day, scheduled for Saturday. Attorney General Brad Schimel says the event gives everyone a safe place to dispose of unneeded prescription drugs, which not only keeps them out of the hands of drug abusers, it keeps the drugs out of the landfills and streams.
He says the program has been highly successful. “Last fall in September, we collected over 34,000 pounds, which made us one of the strongest states in the nation for the Take Back Day collection.” Schimel said the spring event was even more successful, collecting almost 40,000 pounds of drugs.
There are secure drug drop boxes at several central Wisconsin police departments. Many police and sheriff’s departments have year-around prescription drug collection sites.
Melissa Dotter is with the Marathon County Drug Free Communities Program. She says in Marathon County, collection will take place Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and continue at the permanent collection sites 24-hours a day in most places.
She says this will be the 11th event that the Marathon County program has participated in since its inception in January 2010. It is estimated that over 9 tons (more than 18,000 pounds) of medications have been surrendered locally over this time frame.
COLLECTION DETAILS:
See the statewide dropoff map at this hyperlink.
The four local police departments within Marathon County participating in this weekend’s event:
· Rothschild Police Department (211 Grand Ave, Rothschild)
· Kronenwetter Police Department (1582 Kronenwetter Dr, Mosinee)
· Wausau Police Department (515 Grand Ave, Wausau)
· Colby-Abbotsford Police Department (112 W Spruce St, Abbotsford)
What’s In…
o Unwanted or expired prescriptions & over-the-counter medications (people & pets)
o Pills dumped from original containers into zip-style bags.
o Blister packages are accepted without medications being removed.
o Liquids & creams in original containers inside zip-style bags
o Special emphasis on commonly abused medications, such as prescription painkillers, muscle relaxants, and mood-altering medications (ex. depressants, anxiety, ADHD)
What’s Out…
For information on how to manage the items listed below, call the Marathon County Solid Waste Department: 1-877-270-3989
o Needles, syringes, or IV bags
o Inhalers
o Personal care products
o Vitamins & supplements
o Medications from businesses such as clinics or group care facilities
For residents who cannot make it on October 17th, they are invited to visit any of the six permanent medication drop box locations located throughout Marathon County – Rothschild and Kronenwetter Police Departments are open daily (24/7) or visit Everest Metro, Wausau, Colby-Abbotsford & Marathon City (NEW LOCATION as of 6/2015) Police Departments Monday-Friday during normal business hours.
