Drug take-back day is a huge success: Collection netted 62,000+ pounds of prescription drugs

MADISON -- Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel announced on Wednesday, May 4th that 62,618 lbs. of prescription drugs were collected on Saturday, April 30th during the state’s drug take-back day. That's a 40 percent increase over the October 2015 total which at the time was a record-breaking collection.

In a news release, Schimel issued the following statement:

"Safe disposal of prescription medications, whether on drug take-back day or at a permanent drug disposal drop box, prevents these potentially dangerous drugs from falling into the wrongs hands where they may be abused. I am incredibly appreciative of companies like Schneider National Trucking and Covanta Energy Corporation for donating their services and to all our law enforcement partners across Wisconsin for organizing and providing the proper means for safe drug disposal."



































May 2015 October 2015 April 2016
Participating Law Enforcement Agencies 194 226 238
Take-back Events 131 97 128
Permanent Drop Boxes 152 226 256
Total Medication Collected (lbs.) 39,783 44,698 62,618


Officials say the 62,618 lbs. of prescription drugs have been boxed, palletized, shrink wrapped, and secured in three Schneider National Trucking semi-trailers for transportation to Covanta Energy Corporation in Indianapolis, where the drugs will be incinerated on Wednesday, May 4th.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), preliminary numbers show last weekend’s collection is the largest amount of drugs that has been collected by any state during drug take-back day since the program’s inception.