Drug Take Back Day in Waupaca

Residents may safely dispose of their unused and expired medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Waupaca Police Department, 124 S. Washington St.

Those dropping off medications may either leave them in the original container after removing the label or blacking out personal information, or they may place loose pills in a zip-lock plastic bag. Liquids must be dropped off in their original containers.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice coordinates a Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative throughout the state.

The goal is to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal of prescription medications, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. Unused prescription medications in homes create a public health and safety concern, because they can be accidentally ingested, stolen, misused and abused.

Unused or expired medicine should never be flushed or poured down the drain. Removing potentially dangerous pharmaceutical substances from medicine cabinets helps to prevent them from going into the water supply.

Water reclamation facilities are not designed to remove all of them and trace amounts of pharmaceuticals are showing up in rivers and lakes.

During Drug Take Back Day, no businesses are allowed. All waste pharmaceuticals must be generated by a household.

Residents may bring prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, non-aerosol sprays, inhalers, creams, vials and pet medications.

Prohibited items include illegal drugs, needles, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials such as bodily fluids or blood, mercury thermometers, personal care products such as (shampoo, soaps, lotions and sunscreens, household hazardous waste, including paint, pesticides, oil, gas.