Unused Medications Can Pose Unforeseen Dangers
Reducing access to illegal drugs is one of the goals of the Safe & Sound strategy, as well as educating youth and community residents on the related issues of drug abuse and the harmful impact on our community. By properly disposing of unwanted and unused legally prescribed medications, residents will be taking a proactive approach that helps stop the illegal buying and selling of prescription drugs, as well as abuse of over the counter medications.
Last year on Saturday, May 8th volunteers braved the inclement weather at Miller Park to collect unused medicines totaling over 8,000 pounds. An amazing 1,661 participants took advantage of the day to dispose of their medications safely.
Another prescription Medicine Collection Day has been organized for April 30th. Residents from Milwaukee County can drop off unused medication to be disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly way. The location will be at Miller Park from 10 AM to 2:00 PM on the Miller lot by the “sausage haus.”
Safe & Sound has promoted the prescription “drug-drop” resource year-after-year and provided awareness and safety information door-to-door to Milwaukee residents. However, most people are completely unaware of how unused medications may be abused by our young people and toxic or even deadly in our environment when not disposed of properly. Ridding households of unused and unwanted medications is of critical importance. It can help prevent childhood poisonings, and help protect our groundwater from contamination. Moreover, it reduces access and the potential for abuse to oftentimes extremely dangerous drugs when used without a prescription from a doctor.
For more information visit the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District website.
Medicine Collection Day (English)
