The next national effort to get prescription meds off the street and out of the environment takes place soon.
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at several points across the Northwoods. National Take-Back Day is a way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs.
Holli Denton is a registered nurse with the Forest County Health Department. They get a state grant to help sponsor the take back..
"..There would be all these pills in people's medicine cabinets. We can get rid of them safely, we don't have to dump them down the drain, we don't put them in the garbage, you don't just leave them in your cupboard. It's a good way to get rid of drugs in a safe way..."
Denton says with the opioid crisis in the nation, it's the best way to keep medications from getting into the wrong hands. She says another factor is medications expire and it's good to get rid of them...
"..They will accept any prescription controlled or non-controlled medication, over the counter medications like cough medicines, and things you can buy like Tylenol. Ointments, patches, non-aerosol sprays. Inhalers, like when people have asthma creams, vials and pet medications..."
Among items not accepted are illegal drugs, needles/sharps, mercury thermometers, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials , flares, personal care products , household hazardous waste or acids. The Forest County Sheriff's Department is one collection point, and several others in the region. More information on collection points is on the website doseofrealitywi.gov
