Justice Department holding drug take-back day

DOJ will be picking up drugs from local drop boxes May 18

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — You have a chance to clean out your medicine cabinet this week.

The Department of Justice is picking up unused prescription medications and disposing of them as part of a special ‘Take Back Day’ on Monday. The DOJ will be paying for the transportation and disposal of drugs picked up that day.

Local officials say drugs should be dropped off at various drop boxes around the county by the end of this week in order to be disposed of as part of the program.

La Crosse Police Department Lt. Avrie Schott says using the drop boxes keeps prescription drugs from falling into the wrong hands.

“With kids in your house or children in your home, we don’t want children to have access to any type of medication that might cause harm to them,” said Schott. “This gives community members the opportunity to bring their medications to a safe place, drop them off, and we dispose of them.”

However, there are a number of items that can’t be accepted in the drop boxes. Needles and syringes need to go in a separate collection box at those locations. They also can’t take prescription personal care products (such as shampoo, soaps, vitamins or sunscreens) or illicit drugs.

The Drug Take-Back Day isn’t the only time you can drop off unused medications. Drop boxes are available at seven law enforcement departs in La Crosse County, and are open every week day during normal business hours:

La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department, Room 1500
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

La Crosse Police Department Lobby
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Onalaska Police Department Lobby
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

West Salem Police Department Lobby
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Holmen Police Department Lobby
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Campbell Police Department Lobby
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Bangor Police Department Lobby
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

All deposits into the drop boxes are anonymous.