GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel wants everyone to do their part in fighting prescription drug abuse.
On Saturday, people can take their unwanted medications, both prescription and over the counter, to Drug Take Back Day locations statewide.
That includes the Green Bay Police Department, 307 S. Adams Street.
“We just want people to know that there is a proper disposal of their prescription drugs,” says Capt. Kevin Warych, Green Bay Police Department. “We don’t want people to flush those drugs down the drain to contaminate our water system and we don’t want those drugs left unattended for people to steal or kids to experiment with.”
“More than two-thirds of people who have abused prescription painkillers got them illegally from a friend or family member,” Schimel said in a statement. “Wisconsinites can help cut down on prescription drug abuse by storing prescription drugs securely and disposing of unused medication through proper methods.”
Here’s a list of items that can be brought and disposed of:
- Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications
- Ointments
- Patches
- Inhalers
- Non-aerosol sprays
- Creams
- Vials
- Pet medications
Officials ask you not to bring these items:
- Illegal drugs
- Needles/sharps
- Acids
- Aerosol cans
- Bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood)
- Personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens)
- Household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas)
- Mercury thermometers
The Wisconsin Department of Justice also encourages these steps:
- Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages without the medications being removed are acceptable.
- Liquids will be accepted during this initiative. However, the liquids, creams and sprays must be in their original packaging. Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.
- Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.
