WISCONSIN

Saturday is Drug Take Back Day

Brittany Carloni

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In an effort to prevent prescription painkiller abuse, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement agencies will hold events across the state on Saturday for Drug Take Back Day.

These methadone pills were seized by the Washington County Sheriff's Department during a 2009 investigation of a suspected drug dealer. Methadone is sometimes prescribed for pain and is often prescribed to recovering addicts to help wean them off of opiates such as heroin. Pictured is methadone seized from dealer.

The DOJ encourages people to bring controlled and non-controlled prescription and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications to a nearby take back location. Liquids will also be accepted but must be in the original packaging.

Participants can dispose of solid medications by removing them from containers and disposing them directly into a disposal box or into a clear and sealable plastic bag.

Several police departments and Walgreens stores are take-back locations in the Milwaukee area. Find a location at doseofrealitywi.gov/find-a-take-back-location.