For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – Attorney General Josh Kaul announced on Friday, Nov. 11 that a total of 54,040 pounds of unwanted medications was collected during Wisconsin’s Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 29.
“Wisconsinites consistently step up for Drug Take Back, making sure tens of thousands of pounds of unused and unwanted medications are safely disposed of,” Kaul said in a release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ). “Thank you to everyone who helped collect over 54,000 pounds of unwanted medications.”
Statewide, over 140 law enforcement agencies participated in Drug Take Back Day. Medications were also collected from permanent drug disposal boxes at law enforcement agencies.
Wisconsin has more than 490 permanent drug disposal boxes accessible year-round at law enforcement agencies, hospitals, pharmacies and health clinics. To find a permanent drug disposal box, visit www.doseofrealitywi.gov.
“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,” DOJ stated.
DOJ said unused or expired medicine should never be flushed or poured down the drain, noting that water reclamation facilities are not designed to remove all of them, and trace amounts of pharmaceuticals are showing up in rivers and lakes.
“Drug Take Back Day would not be possible without assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the generous support of Fuchs Trucking, Covanta Energy, the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana State Police, Waukesha County, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office and all participating local law enforcement agencies,” DOJ stated.
The collected medications were boxed, palletized, shrink wrapped, and secured for transportation to Covanta Energy Corporation in Indianapolis, where the drugs will be incinerated, according to DOJ.