UNDATED (WSAU) — A record amount of drugs were turned in to police departments Saturday during the state’s drug take-back initiative.
Attorney General Brad Schimel announced 62,618 lbs. of prescription drugs were collected. That’s a 40% increase over the October 2015 total, which at the time was a record-breaking collection.
“Safe disposal of prescription medications, whether on drug take-back day or at a permanent drug disposal drop box, prevents these potentially dangerous drugs from falling into the wrongs hands where they may be abused,” said Attorney General Brad Schimel.
“I am incredibly appreciative of companies like Schneider National Trucking and Covanta Energy Corporation for donating their services and to all our law enforcement partners across Wisconsin for organizing and providing the proper means for safe drug disposal.”
128 take-back events were held across the state. Portage County accounted for 24 boxes of unneeded drugs totaling over 850 pounds. Marathon County has not accounted for the contribution from their permanent drop boxes, which now total 256 statewide.
Last weekend’s collection is the largest amount of drugs that has been collected by any state during drug take-back day since the program’s inception. The next drug take-back push is scheduled for the fall.
