Wisconsin ranks number one during Fall drug take back day

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The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that Wisconsin ranked number one throughout the country for the most prescription medications collected during the fall 2023 Drug Take Back. Wisconsin collected 53,122 lbs. of unwanted medications this fall.

“Because of collaboration among many partners around the state and the commitment of Wisconsinites to helping to keep their communities safe, we continue to lead the nation in drug take back,” said Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.

“Thank you to everyone who participated this fall in Drug Take Back Day,” Kaul added.

According to Wisconsin Department of Justice officials, Wisconsin has collected a total of 1,202,039 lbs. of unwanted medications since Drug Take Back began in 2010 under the leadership of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Wisconsin ranks third in the nation for the most medications collected since inception, falling only behind Texas with 1,379,669 lbs. and California with 1,372,361 lbs. collected. Nationwide, since inception, 17,900,351 lbs. of unwanted medications have been collected during Drug Take Back events.

The DEA leads two Drug Take Back days a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. DOJ partners with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to organize and promote Drug Take Back throughout Wisconsin. Drug Take Back provides a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the community about the potential abuse and consequences of improper storage and disposal of these medications.

As previously reported, back in April, DEA Special Agent John McGarry, who is the special agent in-charge of the DEA Wisconsin’s largest office spoke along with Kaul reminding Wisconsinites that “one pill can kill.”

“I would just like to remind everybody that one pill can kill and drug takeback is an opportunity for citizens across the United States and Wisconsin to both free and anonymously dispose of unwanted medications in kitchen drawers, in bathroom drawers, in medicine cabinets. There are no (legal) consequences for the drop off,” said McGarry.

According to Wisconsin Department of Justice officials, Drug Take Back Day would not be possible without the generous support of Fuchs Trucking, Covanta Energy, the Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Waukesha County, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, and all participating local law enforcement agencies.

“By all of us working together we can be the safety net for people who are taking the steps towards recovery from opiate and other substance use disorders,” said Deb Standridge, deputy secretary of Wisconsin’s Department of Health and Human Services back in April.

While Drug Take Back Day technically only happens twice a year, any day can be Drug Take Back Day at one of Wisconsin’s more than 490 permanent drug disposal boxes. These boxes are accessible year-round at law enforcement agencies, hospitals, pharmacies and health clinics. To find a permanent drug disposal box near you, click here.