GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — With over 280 participating law enforcement agencies and over 150 events planned, Wisconsin is set to continue to lead the nation in its efforts to combat the opioid epidemic this Drug Take Back Day.
Throughout the year, Wisconsin has nearly 500 drug drop boxes available to people to drop off their unwanted prescription medications. But this Saturday, there are even more locations available because of Drug Take Back Day.
Click here for a list of permanent drug drop boxes and Drug Take Back Day drop boxes.
Last year, Wisconsin led the nation with taking back over 54,000 pounds of drugs.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul visited Green Bay to remind the community of the importance of the day.
“By disposing of those medications safely, you can help fight prescription pain killer abuse,” said Kaul, “The use of prescription pain killers can lead to addiction. It’s been one of the driving factors in the opioid epidemic.”
Kaul said opioid addiction has been exacerbated by the rise of fentanyl, a drug that is often mixed in with illegal opioids or other drugs.
This year, Drug Take Back Day will be taking place on Earth Day.
“One of the reasons it’s so important for people to safely dispose of prescription medications in a drop box is that by flushing them, that can lead to prescription medications ending up in our water supply,” explained Kaul.
Facilities aren’t able to filter out all of the medication when drugs are flushed, according to Kaul.
