Waukesha County Collects 5,776.6 Pounds of Prescription Drugs During April's Statewide Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative

On April 27^th, 2019, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) coordinated a Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative throughout Wisconsin. The main focus of the event was to remove potentially dangerous pharmaceutical substances from our state's medicine cabinets and prevent them from going into our water supply. The event also brought attention to the dangers of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse.

The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with the DOJ as well as the Cities of Delafield, Muskego, New Berlin, Oconomowoc and Waukesha, Villages of Butler, Eagle, Elm Grove, Hartland, Menomonee Falls, Mukwonago, Pewaukee, Sussex, North Prairie, Summit, and Town of Brookfield at collections sites around the county. The event also provided an opportunity for law enforcement agencies to safely dispose of accumulated, unwanted and unused prescription drugs collected in drop boxes.

Understanding and appreciating the importance of these efforts, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office resources were dedicated to be direct contributors in the packaging, collection, and eventual disposal of substances collected during the take-back initiative throughout Waukesha County and the State of Wisconsin.

The Prescription Drug Take-Back Day events provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while educating the public about the potential for abuse of these medications. Unused or expired medicine should never be flushed or poured down the drain. Water reclamation facilities are not designed to remove all of particles and trace amounts of pharmaceuticals are showing up in rivers and lakes around the world.

To access additional safe disposal tips and year-round drug collection locations visit https://doseofrealitywi.gov/.

The Waukesha County collection results are as follows in pounds:

Grand total: 5776.60 pounds

Eric Severson

Waukesha County Sheriff