Turn in expired, unwanted, or unused medications at events today and tomorrow

For Hub City Times

Have you been wondering what to do with those prescription drugs that have been piling up in your medicine cabinets? Worried that someone is stealing and abusing your prescription drugs? Prescription drug abuse is a growing public health concern affecting all segments of the population.

In an effort to limit prescription drug abuse, local law enforcement agencies — in collaboration with Groundwater Guardians of Marshfield, Healthy People Wood County, Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth, Marshfield Clinic, and Wood County Health Department — are participating in the Wisconsin Department of Justice prescription take-back event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the following locations in Wood County:

—Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Parking Lot #2: 410 Dewey St., Wisconsin Rapids (Hosted by Wood County Sheriff’s Department).

—Port Edwards Police Department: 201 Market Ave., Port Edwards.

—Shopko: 1306 N. Central Ave., Marshfield (Hosted by Marshfield Police Department).

—Town of Rome Police Department: 1156 Alpine Drive, Nekoosa.

—Wisconsin Rapids Police Department: 444 W. Grand Ave., Wisconsin Rapids.

An additional collection hosted by Marshfield Police Department will be held at the Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center’s main lobby on Friday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bring: Prescription — controlled and non-controlled — and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials, pet medications, and liquid (only in the original packaging).

Do not bring: Illegal drugs; needles/sharps; inhalers; aerosol cans; bio-hazardous materials, which are anything containing a bodily fluid or blood; mercury thermometers; personal care products like shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.; or household hazardous waste, for example paint, pesticides, oil, or gas.

Those individuals who cannot make the national take-back day can drop off expired, unwanted, or unused medications at a number of permanent prescription drug drop sites located at law enforcement agencies. For more information and a listing of additional take back sites throughout Wisconsin, visit doseofrealitywi.gov/drug-takeback/find-a-take-back-location.