Wisconsin ranked No. 1 in the United States for the 2023 Spring Drug Take Back Day, per the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The state collected the most unwanted prescription medications on the day, totaling to more than 55,000 pounds. Since the Drug Take Back Day program began in 2010, Wisconsin has collected over 1 million pounds in
unwanted medications, and this number will continue to rise, with the next Drug Take Back Day falling on Oct. 28th. Drug Take Back Day is meant to provide people with a safe, easy and responsible way to dispose of their unwanted or expired medications and to educate the community about improper storage and disposal. But the most important part
of the collection effort is a statistic impossible to measure – the lives potentially saved with every safe disposal. And make no mistake – safe disposal saves lives. Almost every home has one — that cabinet or drawer filled with prescriptions and other medications. And if yours is like most, it probably contains a few things you didn’t know you had, or no longer need. And that can have serious consequences. When unused and expired medications start to pile up, it is easy for them to fall into the wrong hands. Too often, medications that get overlooked cause unintended harm or become a gateway to misuse. In fact, according to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 70% of people who used prescription pain relievers non-medically got them from friends or relatives – sometimes by accident. Don’t wait for an accident to happen! Instead, safely dispose of these medications at one of Fond du Lac County’s permanent drug drop boxes, available year-round in convenient locations, like pharmacies and police stations.
Simply gather medications you no longer need, remove or cover up prescription or personal information and put them in a zip-loc bag. Liquid medications should remain in 3 ounce (or less) bottles. Then choose a safe disposal location that is best for you. Items accepted at collection sites: Items not accepted at collection sites:
If you would like to learn more about safe medication disposal and all-available options, visit doseofrealitywi.gov.
Aerosol cans
Anything containing blood or a bodily fluid
Household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas)
Illegal drugs
Iodine containing medications
Mercury thermometers
Personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions,
sunscreens, etc.)
Sharps/syringes
Vape pens/e-cigarette devices with a built-in battery
Capsules
Creams
Inhalers
Non-aerosol sprays
Ointments
Patches
Pills
Vials
Vape pens with batteries removed
Pet Medications
