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Sauk County, Wis. — National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 25. Local law enforcement and community partners are working together to host 2 drug take-back events in Sauk County:

• Sauk Prairie Police Department from 9am – 12pm
• Ho-Chunk Nation House of Wellness from 10am – 2pm

This is an opportunity to dispose of leftover or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications.

“People often have unused or expired medications at home and may not know how to get rid of them safely,” says Hannah Erdman, a Health Educator at Public Health Sauk County. “By dropping off your leftover medications at a drop box location, you protect yourself, family, friends, our community, and the environment.”  

All accepted items must be in sealed containers or zip lock bags. For security, people are encouraged to black out their name and other personal information listed on any prescription labels with a marker.

Accepted items:

• Any prescription or over-the-counter medication including capsules, creams, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, ointments, patches, pills, vials, and liquids in original containers and vapes with removable batteries

Not accepted:

• Aerosol cans, anything containing blood or bodily fluids, batteries, cosmetics, eyeglasses, household hazardous waste (e.g. paint, pesticides, oil, gas), iodine containing medications, thermometers, personal care products (e.g. shampoo, conditioner, soaps, lotions, moisturizer, sunscreens), vapes/e-cigarettes with built in batteries

For residents that cannot attend Drug Take Back Day, medications can be dropped off at year-round drug take back sites at the Ho-Chunk Nation House of Wellness, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department, and police departments in Lake Delton, Reedsburg, Sauk Prairie, Spring Green, and Wisconsin Dells.

In addition, Public Health Sauk County has other options for disposing of unused medications at home:

• free medication disposal kits and
• special envelopes to mail your medications to a safe disposal site.

“Safe storage and safe disposal saves lives,” says Erdman. “Make a plan today to get rid of medicines you no longer need.”

About Public Health Sauk County

Public Health Sauk County supports the well-being of all people in our community. Through wellness programs, environmental health initiatives, and a focus on creating systemic change, we cultivate healthier places and people so that Sauk County can thrive. For more information on our programs and services, visit https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth.

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