Milwaukee City and County launch drug take-back program to combat opioid crisis

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County are launching a new program meant to combat the opioid crisis in the area. It’s called Take Back My Meds MKE.

The Adopt a Drop Box program comes as the Medical Examiner’s Office says 306 people have died from overdoses in the county so far this year. It's designed to make sure every Milwaukee County resident has a secure place to drop off unused medications in their neighborhood.

The program gives local businesses and organizations the opportunity to sponsor a secure drop-box at a local pharmacy. The network of drug take-back sites help combat the opioid epidemic by keeping unused prescription medications out of the wrong hands.

National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28.  If you live outside Milwaukee County, please click here to find a drug take-back location near you.

Bring: Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications.

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.

Click here for more information.