Dose of Reality: Drug Take Back Day
Too often, unused and expired medications find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. Bringing unused and expired medications to a Drug Take Back Day collection site protects you, your family, and your community.
The next Drug Take Back Day is October 25, 2025.
How to participate
It's easy to participate in Drug Take Back Day. Just stop by a collection site and drop your items into a bin. That's it. No questions are asked. You can be in and out of a collection site in minutes.
What to bring
Prescription and over-the-counter medications may be disposed of at Drug Take Back Day collection sites, including:
- Capsules
- Creams
- Inhalers
- Non-aerosol sprays
- Ointments
- Patches
- Pills
- Vials
Liquids must be in their original container.
Pet medications are accepted.
Vape pens are accepted with the batteries removed. Other e-cigarette devices are accepted with the batteries removed. These batteries are highly flammable. That's why it is important that the batteries are removed before the pen or device is placed in a collection bin.
The following items are not accepted:
- Aerosol cans
- Anything containing blood or a bodily fluid
- Household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas)
- Illegal drugs
- Iodine containing medications
- Mercury thermometers
- Personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.)
- Sharps/syringes
- Vape pens/e-cigarette devices with a built-in battery that cannot be removed
Find a collection site near you
A map of collection sites for the October 2025 Drug Take Back Day will be available here no later than September 15, 2025.
Promote safe medication disposal/drug take back: Visit the Dose of Reality: Partner Resources section for audio, print, and video advertisements, email messages, flyers, posters, and social media posts.
Missed a Drug Take Back Day event? That's okay.
There are many permanent drug drop boxes located across Wisconsin that are open year round.