Wood County residents can safely get rid of unused or expired medications on Saturday, Oct. 24, as part of Wisconsin's Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The statewide effort is sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Officials say medications should not be flushed or poured down a drain, because that can allow them to reach the water supply, and keeping unneeded prescriptions at home also raises the risk they will be taken and misused.
Local law enforcement agencies, working with IMPACT Wood County and the Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth, will collect medications at Marshfield City Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Pick 'n Save in Wisconsin Rapids from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Pittsville Police Department from 9 a.m. to noon, and at the Port Edwards Fire Department from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A site at the Town of Rome Police Department in Adams County will also run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sites will accept capsules, creams, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, ointments, pills, patches, vials, pet medications and liquids in their original containers. Vape pens and other e-cigarette devices can be accepted if their batteries have been removed.
Aerosol cans, illegal drugs, mercury thermometers, iodine-containing medications, items with blood or bodily fluids, household hazardous waste and personal care products will not be accepted. Sharps will not be accepted at most sites, although the Marshfield site will accept them.
People who cannot attend on Oct. 24 can use medication disposal kiosks at participating law enforcement agencies and pharmacies in the county year-round. Homebound residents can contact the Wood County Health Department at 715-421-8907 for help with at-home disposal or to request a lock box.
