Wisconsin collects 19+ tons of expired, unused prescription drugs

MADISON (WITI) -- Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp praised Wisconsin residents on Monday, November 18th for their participation in last month’s National Prescription Drug “Take-Back” Day.

The "Take-Back" effort resulted in 19.25 tons (38,506 lbs) worth of unwanted, expired or unused prescription drugs being dropped off statewide.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which coordinates the national “Take-Back” event, Wisconsin ranked 4th in the nation in the total amount collected, trailing only the much larger states of California, Texas and New York.

Nationally, 324 tons (647,211 pounds) of expired and unwanted medications were turned back for safe and proper disposal at the 5,683 “Take-Back” sites that were available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, making the October event the second-largest collection of medications in seven “Take-Back” Days, according to the DEA.

The “Take-Back” service is free and anonymous for those who wish to drop off unwanted, expired or unused prescription drugs during these biannual events.