Health, law enforcement agencies set hours for fall Drug Take Back Day

Police and sheriff’s departments across the state will provide a safe, convenient, and anonymous way for the public to dispose of unwanted medications during the fall Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 24.

Events will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., aimed at preventing prescription drug abuse and theft by removing expired and unused drugs from homes.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, unused medications create unnecessary risk. Properly disposing of prescription painkillers helps keep them out of the hands of youth; they should never be flushed or put down the drain. Instead, there are alternate ways to dispose of the medications.

In conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Wisconsin Department of Justice, local law enforcement in Oneida County will accept medications for disposal at the following sites:

— Three Lakes Police Department, 1795 Erie Street, Three Lakes;

— Minocqua Police Department, 418 E. Chicago Avenue, Minocqua;

— Rhinelander Police Department, 201 N. Brown Street, Rhinelander; and

— Oneida County Landfill, 7450 County Highway K, Rhinelander

Accepted items include prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, non-aerosol sprays, inhalers, creams, vials, and pet medications.

Prohibited items include: Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.), and household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas). Sharps will be accepted at the landfill location only.

Participants will be asked to empty their medication bottles into boxes; blister packages are acceptable without medication being removed. Liquids, creams, and non-aerosol sprays must be in their original packaging and will not be accepted otherwise. The service is free and anonymous.

The Human Service Center and the Oneida County Public Health Department have also made lock boxes available at these locations.

For more information, visit doseofrealitywi.gov/drug-takeback.

For questions, contact Officer Devon Gaszak (Minocqua Police Department), Captain Tyler Young (Oneida County Sheriff’s Office), Chief Josh Chiamulera (Rhinelander Police Department), or Chief Lea (Three Lakes Police Department).

This event is sponsored by the Oneida County Substance Use Coalition and the Oneida County Health Department. Additional information is available from the health department at 715-369-6111.