The Marathon County Medication Drop Box Program will again join forces with the Wisconsin Department of Justice for their eighth Statewide Medication Takeback Day on Oct. 27.

The goal is to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for medication abuse. Additionally, utilizing the Marathon County Medication Drop Box Program is safe for the environment, improves public safety (from thefts or threat of abuse) and protects public health (from accidental ingestions and overdose).

The six local police departments within Marathon County participating in this weekend’s event:

  • Rothschild Police Department, 211 Grand Ave, Rothschild, as a 24/7 location
  • Kronenwetter Police Department, 1582 Kronenwetter Drive, Mosinee, as a 24/7 location
  • Wausau Police Department, 515 Grand Ave., Wausau, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Colby-Abbotsford Police Department, 112 W. Spruce St., Abbotsford, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Locations for Oct. 27 event only:

  • Edgar Police Department, 224 S. Third Ave., Edgar, from 8 a.m. to noon
  • Mosinee Police Department, 225 Main St., Mosinee, from 9 a.m. to noon

“As the opiate epidemic grows, it is extremely important that the community does its part in reducing access to medications that can be abused by getting them out of their homes and taking them to one of our local drop ox locations,” said Melissa Moore, Drug Free Communities Program coordinator, in a news release. “Additionally, when disposing of your medications, we want to remind residents to help save time and valuable police resources by following the what’s in, what’s out guidelines.

What’s In

  • Unwanted or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications (people and pets)
  • Pills dumped from original containers into zip-style bags
  • Blister packages are accepted without medications being removed
  • Liquids and creams in original containers inside zip-style bags
  • Inhalers
  • Special emphasis on commonly abused medications, such as prescription painkillers, muscle relaxants and mood-altering medications (depressants, anxiety, ADHD)

What’s Out

For information on how to manage the items listed below, call the Marathon County Solid Waste Department at 877-270-3989.

  • Needles, syringes or IV bags – visit the Wisconsin DNR for registered sharps disposal locations at dnr.wi.gov/topic/HealthWaste/HouseholdSharps.html
  • Personal care products, such as toothpaste, deodorant, hairspray, etc.
  • Vitamins and supplements
  • Medications from businesses, such as clinics or group care facilities

For residents who cannot make it on Oct. 27, there are seven permanent drop box locations available throughout Marathon County: Rothschild and Kronenwetter police departments are open daily (24/7) or visit Everest Metro, Wausau, Colby-Abbotsford, Marathon City and Spencer police departments Monday-Friday during regular lobby hours.

Since January 2010, the Marathon County Drop Box Program has expanded from three permanent
locations to seven in early 2018 to successfully collect 1.5 to 2 tons of medication annually – for roughly 14 tons or 28,000 pounds since the program’s launch.