Drug take-back event sees decline from April

Local drug take-back events in October hosted by local law enforcement agencies collected about 990 pounds of leftover and expired over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Seven boxes from Plover, 12 from Stevens Point, and 14 from Portage Co. were sent off for incineration and an Indiana facility on Monday, Sheriff Mike Lukas said.

That’s down from the April collection, which took in 1,300 pounds of leftover and expired over-the-counter and prescription medications.

It’s the 23rd year of the National Drug Take-Back program. The Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office held several collection events in rural areas last week, partnered with a special collection day hosted by the Stevens Point and Plover Police Departments.

Old prescription and over-the-counter drugs are accepted via special drop boxes year-round at all local law enforcement agencies, but special take-back events are held each April and October.

The annual take-back events are sponsored by the Department of Justice. It’s an effort to prevent abuse of old prescription and over-the-counter medicines or their improper disposal in the public water supply.