Nearly 60,000 pounds of unwanted medications collected

For the Tomahawk Leader

WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday, June 7 that Wisconsin ranked number one throughout the country for the most prescription medications collected during the spring 2022 Drug Take Back.

Wisconsin collected 59,840 pounds of unwanted medications this spring.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped make Wisconsin a national leader in Drug Take Back,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Together, we are helping to prevent prescription drugs from being diverted and causing substance-use disorder.”

A release from DOJ said Wisconsin has collected a total of 1,039,405 pounds of unwanted medications since Drug Take Back began in 2010 under the leadership of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Wisconsin ranked third in the nation for the most medications collected since Drug Take Back’s inception, falling only behind California with 1,266,125 pounds and Texas with 1,243,752 pounds collected.

The DEA leads two Drug Take Back days a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. DOJ partners with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to organize and promote Drug Take Back throughout Wisconsin.

“Drug Take Back 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,” DOJ stated.

DOJ noted that unwanted medications can be disposed of at one of Wisconsin’s more than 490 permanent drug disposal boxes. The boxes are accessible year-round at law enforcement agencies, hospitals, pharmacies and health clinics. To find a permanent drug disposal, visit www.bit.ly/39cyoWg.