L-R: Portage Co. Sheriff Mike Lukas, Sharalee Simkins, a records specialist for the Plover Police Department, and Stevens Point Police Officer Michael Schultz, load up boxes of drugs from the April 2022 Drug Take Back event. (Metro Wire photo)

DOJ: Wisconsin tops nation in first drug take-back of ’22

June 8, 2022

By Brandi Makuski

Wisconsin ranks number one in the spring drug take-back event.

The Badger State collected 59,840 pounds, more than any other state, of unwanted or leftover medications during the annual Drug Take-Back events held across the state in April, according to Attorney General Josh Kaul.

*Portage Co. collected about 900 pounds of medicines during the April take-back event. That puts the county on track to potentially exceed last year’s total. (Metro Wire image)*

Since the program began in 2001, Wisconsin has collected 1,039,405 pounds of unused or unwanted over-the-counter and prescription medicine, ranking third in the nation overall behind California, which collected 1,266,125 pounds, and 1,243,752 pounds in Texas.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration sponsors two drug take-back events throughout the country each year. In Wisconsin, the effort is led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health Services.

At the county level, drug take-back events are organized each April and October in Stevens Point, Plover, and rural areas by local law enforcement. The collections help prevent prescription medicine abuse, or from winding up in the water supply.

Wisconsin has 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, go to doseofrealitywi.gov.