Saturday is the semi-annual Drug Enforcement Administration's Drug Takeback Day.
The federal agency sponsors local law enforcement offices and other places to accept unused prescription medications.
Oneida County Sheriff's Department Captain Terri Hook says disposal is easy and helps control misuse...
"....We don't want any identifying information. All they have to do is empty their bottles into the boxes, they can take the bottles with them and dispose of it so we don't find them in our water table and things like that. Normally people dispose of medications by flushing them down the toilet or throwing it in the garbage. Some people just leave it in their house, which makes them prime for somebody breaking into their house if they have some kind of medication that is controlled....."
Captain Hook says leftover medications can tempt people to steal them...
"...I've had cases throughout the years where I've had people who have cancer or something like that. They're taking medications. They're having surgery and somebody breaks into their house and they take medications then need or have used just because they know they are there...."
The takeback is free and anonymous. No inhalers, injectables and syringes will not be accepted, but the Oneida county Health Department will be collecting sharps during the event. In Oneida county, the collection will take place at the Oneida County Solid Waste Department on county "K" west of Rhinelander along with the police departments in Rhinelander, Three Lakes and Minocqua.
The takeback times are 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday.
Contact your local law enforcement agency for information on their Takeback Day this Saturday
