PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP OFF

Managing unused medications is a safety as well as an environmental concern. Traditionally, we were told to flush unwanted medications down the drain or toilet rather than keeping them around so they would not be misused by the patient for the wrong symptoms or by someone else who was not prescribed the medication and who might use the drugs recreationally.

Although effective in removing the medication from potentially being misused, flushing creates a new and growing problem in the environment. Antibiotics and other medications in a septic system can destroy beneficial bacteria necessary for the system to operate. Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove or process many compounds found in medications that end up being discharged into our surface and ground water. A study by the United States Geological Survey done in 1999 showed that in 80% of the streams sampled contained detectable levels of compounds found in common medications.

Please help by disposing of your expired medications properly. If you have expired medications or  medications you are no longer prescribed please bring your medications to the Door County Sheriff’s Department at:

Door County Justice Center

1201 S. Duluth Avenue

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 54235

The Door County Sheriff’s Department accepts drop-offs Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. They will accept your prescription medications and over the counter medications (pills and capsules) at the main reception area. Once there please remove all medications from their appropriate bottles and place the medications into the provided bag and close it. Then place the bag into the metal pass through where a Sheriff’s Department staff member will take the medications and secure them. These medications will then be disposed of at a secured facility several times a month.

What items are not accepted at the Door County Sheriff’s Department:

• · Liquids
• · Creams
• · Syringes
• · Lotions
• · Chemo Therapy Drugs
• · Aerosols
• · Inhalers
• · Needles
• · Thermometers

THANK YOU for your help on the war on drugs.