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Dose of Reality: Drug Take Back Day

Too often, unused and expired medications find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. Bringing unused and expired medications to a Drug Take Back Day collection site protects you, your family, and your community.

The next Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for April 27, 2024.

Orange bottles on a shelf

How to participate

It's easy to participate in Drug Take Back Day. Just stop by a collection site and drop your items into a bin. That's it. No questions are asked. You can be in and out of a collection site in minutes.

What to bring

Prescription and over-the-counter medications may be disposed of at Drug Take Back Day collection sites, including:

  • Capsules
  • Creams
  • Inhalers
  • Non-aerosol sprays
  • Ointments
  • Patches
  • Pills
  • Vials

Liquids must be in their original container.

Pet medications are accepted.

Vape pens are accepted with the batteries removed. Other e-cigarette devices are accepted with the batteries removed. These batteries are highly flammable. That's why it is important that the batteries are removed before the pen or device is placed in a collection bin.

The following items are not accepted:

  • Aerosol cans
  • Anything containing blood or a bodily fluid
  • Household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas)
  • Illegal drugs
  • Iodine containing medications
  • Mercury thermometers
  • Personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.)
  • Sharps/syringes
  • Vape pens/e-cigarette devices with a built-in battery that cannot be removed

Find a collection site near you

The next Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for April 2024. Information on collection sites for this event will be shared here no later than April 1, 2024. 

Promote safe medication disposal/drug take back: Visit the Dose of Reality: Partner Resources section for audio, print, and video advertisements, email messages, flyers, posters, and social media posts.


Missed a Drug Take Back Day event? That's okay.

There are many permanent drug drop boxes located across Wisconsin that are open year round.

Find a permanent drug drop box near you

Last revised January 16, 2024