DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Managing unused medications is a safety as well as an environmental concern. Traditionally, we flushed unwanted medications down the drain or toilet rather than keeping them  so they would not be misused by someone else who was not prescribed the medication and who might use the drugs recreationally or taken accidentally by a child or other individual. Although effective in removing the medication from potentially being misused, flushing creates a new and growing problem in the environment. Antibiotics and other medications in a septic system can destroy beneficial bacteria necessary for the system to operate.

Further, wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove or process many compounds found in medications. This means they end up being discharged into surface and ground water, with medications thrown in the trash assuming the same fate. National attention is growing to develop more appropriate methods of safely disposing of old, unwanted medications.

Federal Guidelines for the Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs

Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so. For information on drugs that should be flushed, visit the FDA’s website.

To dispose of prescription drugs not labeled to be flushed, you should take advantage of community drug take-back events or other programs, such as household hazardous waste collection events that collect drugs at a central location for proper disposal. At this time, most law enforcement agencies and some pharmacies in the area also have a drop box where prescription medications may be disposed.

Medicine Collection for Households

Residential Medication Disposal Brochure

 

Collection Day Events 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies, coordinates drug take-back initiatives throughout the state of Wisconsin. DOJ intends to hold a minimum of two collections per year. For more information on the dates and locations of these events, please see the DOJ and DHS website. 

What to bring:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• Ointments and creams
• Sprays and Inhalers
• Pet medications

What Not to Bring:

• Illegal Drugs
• Biohazard Materials
• Needles/Sharps – Sharps Disposal Information
• Personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreen) 

How to Package Your Items:

• Keep all medication in original bottles.
• Cross out your name but leave the name of the medication
• Put medications in a sealed bag.

 

Drop Boxes   

 

In coordination with Focus on Community, Racine County has multiple drop boxes for unwanted medications at the following locations:

 

Caledonia Police Department
  6922 Nicholson Road, Caledonia
  262-835-4423

 

City of Burlington Police Department
  224 E. Jefferson Street, Burlington
  262-342-1100

 

City of Racine Police Department
  730 Center Street, Racine
  262-635-7751

 

Lakeview Pharmacy
  516 Monument Square, Racine
  262-632-0520
  *Does NOT accept controlled substances

 

Mt. Pleasant Police Department
  8811 Campus Drive, Mt. Pleasant
  262-884-0454

 

Sheriff’s Patrol Station
  14116 Washington Avenue, Sturtevant
  262-886-9465

 

Sturtevant Police Department
  2801 89th Street, Sturtevant
  262-886-7211

 

Town of Burlington Police Department
  224 E. Jefferson Street, Burlington
  262-342-1100

 

Town of Waterford Police Department
  415 N Milwaukee Street, Waterford
  262-534-2119

 

Union Grove Village Hall
  925 15th Avenue, Union Grove
  262-878-1818

 

Walgreens
  4810 Washington Avenue, Racine
  262-635-0181

 

 

For More Information 

 

Racine County Prescription Drug Safety Information  

 

Monitor, Secure, and Dispose of Your Medications 

 

Not in my House Safety Checklist 

 

If you have questions or would like more information,
call 262-636-9203.