Oneida County law enforcement to collect unwanted medications during drug take back day, Oct. 26

The public will have a chance to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medications at a drug take back event on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The event is hosted by the Three Lakes, Rhinelander, and Minocqua Police Departments, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Medications can be disposed of at the following sites between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.:

• Minocqua Police Department, 418 E. Chicago Ave., Minocqua

• Rhinelander Police Department, 201 N. Brown St., Rhinelander

• Three Lakes Police Department, 1795 Erie St., Three Lakes

• Oneida County Landfill, 7450 County Highway K, Rhinelander

Items that can be disposed of include prescription (controlled and noncontrolled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, nonaerosol sprays, inhalers, creams, vials and pet medications.

Items that will not be accepted or disposed of include illegal drugs, needles/sharps, aerosol cans, biohazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.), or household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas). 

Sharps will be accepted at the landfill location only.

The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked.

Participants will be asked to empty their medication bottles into boxes. Blister packages are acceptable without the medication being removed. Liquids, creams and nonaerosol sprays must be in their original packaging. 

Liquids without the original bottle/packaging will not be accepted.

Illicit substances, such as marijuana or methamphetamine, are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.

For further information, visit http://doseofrealitywi.gov/drug-takeback.