We are committed to protecting and promoting the health and safety of all residents.
Got unused medications? Get rid of them.
Wisconsin Drug Take-Back Day: April 27, 2019
Unused medications do more than clutter your medicine cabinet, they can be dangerous and lead to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse. Thrown in the trash, unused medications can be retrieved and illegally sold. Flushed down the drain, they can contaminate the water supply. Collection sites for unused medications are located throughout the state. Find a collection site near you.
TakeAway Environmental Return System™ Envelopes Available for Agencies, Businesses, and Organizations
We have purchased a supply of TakeAway Environmental Return System™ envelopes to share with agencies, businesses, and organizations that serve people who use medications. The envelopes are self-addressed and postage-paid. They allow people to mail their unwanted drugs through the U.S. Postal Service to a licensed, secure facility for safe destruction. People fill the envelope, seal it with the provided seal, and drop it in the mail. This system meets DEA requirements. Controlled substances (Schedules II-IV) and non-controlled medications are allowed. Schedule I substances are NOT allowed. Agencies, businesses, and organizations may order up to 100 envelopes at no charge while supplies last. Access the online ordering form. If you have any questions, contact: dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Steps to prevent opioid misuse and abuse
Community actions
Make opioids less attractive
Share resources and information. Place articles and letters to editors in community newspapers, newsletters, and bulletins. Post flyers and posters in stores, pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations. Set up a booth at community events with information about opioids, including safeguards and drug take-back locations.
Make opioids less acceptable
- Host a community forum. Bring together law enforcement, pharmacies, ambulance services, behavioral health programs, schools, hospitals, business owners, community members, and other stakeholders in the community's culture, perceptions, values, and norms.
- Form a community coalition. Recruit members at a community forum. Join the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth.
Make opioids less available
Initiate/expand and promote community take-back locations. Encourage law enforcement and pharmacies to maintain drug take-back collection boxes. Encourage community members to use these sites to safely dispose of unwanted, unneeded medications.
Individual Actions
Make opioids less attractive
Learn and share the risks of using opioids, including ways to manage your pain that do not include opioids.
Make opioids less acceptable
Take opioids only if they have been prescribed to you, and only as instructed.
Make opioids less available
- Store your opioids in a locked location out of reach of others.
- Keep track of your opioids and monitor your remaining doses.
- Dispose of your unused opioids promptly at a take-back location.
Young people at high risk
Everyone has a role in protecting and promoting the health and safety of youth and young adults.
- Provide support during times of emotional stress.
- Pressures at school (big assignments, exams)
- Trouble with friends
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Share information with kids about the risks and dangers of opioids.
- Encourage them to ask medical professionals for alternatives to opioids to manage pain.
- Supply money only if you're certain where and how it will be spent.
Information for community leaders on how to prevent opioid misuse and abuse
- Coaches (PDF)
- Educators (PDF)
- Faith leaders
- Parents (PDF)
