Drug Take Back Day planned for April 26

It’s that time of year again – Drug Take Back Day is coming up April 26. It’s a day set aside each spring for people to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of any unused or expired prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and other related items. “There is no cost. We just want to get these people to get their stuff off the street,” Shawano County Sheriff George Lenzner said. “It’s nice to get these drugs off the street so they don’t fall into other hands.” Medications should be kept in their original containers with the medication name visible. People can remove their names from the containers. Special drop-off sites will be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bonduel Police Department, 207 S. First St., Bonduel; Stockbridge-Munsee Public Safety, W13445 Camp 14 Road, Bowler; and Siga Funmaker Community Center, W17634 Radke Road, Wittenberg. Permanent drop boxes are also at the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, Bonduel Police Department and ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano. “We get a lot of strange things in there,” Lenzner said about the box at the sheriff’s department. “We’ve had human teeth, dog teeth. People put stuff in these pill bottles and then pass away, and the family comes in and just throws everything in there.” Drug Take Back Days are scheduled each year in April and October. In October 2024, there were 4,425 law enforcement agencies participating nationwide with 4,644 collection sites. The total weight collected that day was 629,953 pounds, equal to 314 tons. Since the event began, 19,200,440 pounds (9,600 tons) have been collected. Items accepted include capsules, creams, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, ointments, patches, pills and vials. Liquids must be in their original containers. Pet medications are accepted. Vape pens and other e-cigarette devices are accepted with the batteries removed. Illegal drugs are not accepted; neither are personal care products like shampoos, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc. Also not accepted are aerosol cans, anything containing blood or a bodily fluid, household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas), iodine containing medications, mercury thermometers or syringes. For information, call 715-526-3111. kpasson@newmedia-wi.com