Drug take back day on Saturday

Wisconsin one of the leaders in prescription drug collecting.

It’s become pretty common to see prescription drop off boxes in places like police stations.  Access to places to get rid of unwanted prescription drugs has increased significantly.  

Despite that, The state Department of Justice, federal authorities and police are urging people to get rid of unwanted medications this weekend during a special drug take back day.  

Sites all over Wisconsin will be open on Saturday for those looking to get rid of their old meds.  

The effort is designed to combat misuse and abuse of prescription painkillers and other drugs.

Al Bliss, health educator with the La Crosse County Health Department, said it will be tough for the state to top the 60,000 pounds of medication collected during the last such event.

That was the second highest amount of drugs collected at a take back day in the nation.

Bliss also said the meds you do have, should be kept safely.

“It’s so important that people lock up their medications, that they count their medications to make sure that others are not taking them,” Bliss said.

All unwanted medications turned in at collection sites must be generated by a household .

The sites won’t accept, among other things, needles or illegal drugs.  

The needles used for illegal drugs are vexing, admits Wisconsin attorney general Brad Schimel, who calls the disposal of those a statewide issue:

“I hope that people that are using will start getting the message; ‘hey, when you go pick up some fresh needles…take your old needles back.”

Several sites locally will be open on Saturday for the take back day including most police stations.