Medications can be disposed of year-round, however

FOR THE TOMAHAWK LEADER

LINCOLN COUNTY – Fall has arrived, and as you begin to prep your house and gardens for a winter’s nap, consider prepping your medicine cabinets by disposing of unused or unwanted medications.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 6 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs in 2017, and the majority of prescription drugs were obtained from family and friend’s medicine cabinets. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services links misusing prescription painkillers to heroin use, as three out of four heroin users started by abusing prescription pain killers.

Both the Tomahawk and Merrill Police Departments play key roles in Drug Take Back in Lincoln County. Both departments have reported high utilization of the permanent medication disposal units at their agencies.

Tomahawk Police Chief Al Elvins shared, “The amount of medications turned into the take-back boxes has far exceeded my expectations.”

In addition, Merrill Police Chief Corey Bennett stated, “Every year our department collects well over 100 pounds of raw pills, bottles and packaging not included. Removing these unneeded prescriptions from accessibility prevents criminal activity and fights a public health concern.”

Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2019. This is an opportunity to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths. In Lincoln County, Drug Take Back Day is every day; unwanted and unused medications can be disposed year round at the following locations:

Tomahawk Police Department, 219 West Somo Ave., Tomahawk, available 24/7; Tomahawk Pharmacy, 844 N. 4th St., Tomahawk, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Merrill Police Department, 1004 E. 1st St., Merrill, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Marshfield Clinic-Merrill, 1205 O’Day St., Merrill, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To learn more about Drug Take Back Day and how to prevent prescription drug abuse, visit

https://takebackday.dea.gov/.