Those unused or expired prescription drugs and medications you have around your house can be safely disposed of this weekend.
The federal Drug Enforcement Agency and Department of Justice team with state and local law enforcement to host Drug Take Back Day Saturday. Several local law enforcement agencies are participating including the Rhinelander Police Department.
Captain Ron Lueneburg details what can be safely disposed of...
"People will be able to bring in prescriptions,controlled and non-controlled substances, over-the-counter medications, ointments, inhalers, patches, non-aerosol sprays, creams and pet medications, We don't want people to bring illegal drugs, sharps, needles, mercury thermometers This isn't a dumping ground kind of thing, it's primarily geared toward prescription medications..."
Liquids will be accepted but the liquids, creams and sprays must be in their original packaging.
Captain Lueneburg says all the donations are done anonymously. He says it would help if the public dumped the medications into a clear plastic bag and recycled the containers themselves.
He says Rhinelander Police have had good response to the program...
"We're probably one of the leading departments in northern Wisconsin. To date, since I've been keeping records we've exceeded one ton of drugs we've disposed of over the years...."
The Drug Take Back is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Other area departments participating include Three Lakes, Tomahawk, Eagle River, Lac du Flambeau, Antigo, Merrill, Lac Vieux Desert and Minocqua Police, the Oneida County Landfill, and sheriff's departments in Vilas, Forest, Iron and Price counties.
More information is available online attakebackday.dea.com
