Drug Take Back Day is today, April 24 -- here's where to find a drop-off location near you

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's time to clean out your medicine cabinet and get rid of all your expired and unused prescription drugs. Do it now, because Saturday, April 24, has been declared "Drug Take Back Day." across Wisconsin. 

"We know that unintentional poisoning overdose is our number one cause of preventable injury death," said Cheryl Wittke, executive director of Safe Communications. 

That's what makes Drug Take Back Day so important; 290 law enforcement agencies will be involved. They'll create safe places for you to dispose of your old drugs instead of doing something unsafe with them, like pouring them into the sink, flushing them down the toilet, or leaving them were curious kids can find them. 

"As a mom of four small children, I know how devious those guys can be and how easily they can get into things that even if they are put up and away," said Dr. Jill Theobald, Wisconsin Poison Center. 

"A lot of people expect that we're going to be facing challenges with substance use disorder coming out of this pandemic. We've seen an increase in overdose deaths amid the pandemic," Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul. 

CLICK HERE to find a drug take back location near you. 

Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 24. Here are the guidelines: 

All waste pharmaceuticals must be generated by a household – no businesses are allowed.

Bring: Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices (batteries removed).

Do Not Bring: Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, acids, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas), mercury thermometers.

Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages without the medications being removed are acceptable.

Liquids will be accepted during this initiative. However, the liquids, creams and sprays must be in their original packaging. Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.

Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.