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 event and drop your items into a bin. That's it. No questions are asked. You can be in and out of a collection event in minutes.
What to bring
Prescription and over-the-counter medications may be disposed of at Drug Take Back Day collection events, 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 event near you
Use this map to find a Drug Take Back Day collection event near you.
- View the map of Drug Take Back Day collection events in full screen format.
- View a spreadsheet of all Drug Take Back Day collection events (Excel).
NOTE: The map shows collection events connected to the October 25, 2025, Drug Take Back Day. There are many more places you can take your unused and expired medications year-round. Check out the map of year-round collection sites.
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.