More than 470 pounds of medicine were collected during a Drug Take Back Day in Waupaca County.
The event stemmed from a September 2013 plunge into drugs and alcohol sponsored by the Waupaca Community Health Action Team, or CHAT. Every ThedaCare hospital does a community needs assessment and creates a plan. Based on those needs, each ThedaCare hospital identifies the top three areas to target. Riverside Medical Center and Waupaca CHAT members identified community education regarding safe medication disposal as one need.
In April 2014, the public was welcome to drop off prescription and over-the-counter medications, pet medications, supplements and ointments. Needles and lancets were not accepted. And medication was to be in original containers and liquids double bagged. The name of the medication was to be visible with personal information crossed off.
The following locations reported collecting the following amounts in pounds: Clintonville Police Department: 33; Manawa Police Department: 85; Marion Police Department: 36; New London Police Department: 66; Waupaca County Sheriff Department: 30; Waupaca Police Department: 169.5; and Weyauwega Police Department: 57.
Drugs are destroyed via chain of command transportation to a Drug Enforcement Administration location in Wausau or Fond du Lac. Another Drug Take Back Day is planned for Sept. 27, 2014.
