Crime & Safety

School District, Police Partner in Pill Disposal Effort

Unwanted prescription medication can be dropped off at the Whitefish Bay Police Department April 30.

The Whitefish Bay Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs on April 30.

The public is invited to bring these medications to the police department, 5300 N. Marlborough Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last September, Americans turned in 242,000 pounds, or 121 tons, of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners. 

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This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. 

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

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The School District of Whitefish Bay is actively partnering with the Whitefish Bay Police Department on this initiative by raising awareness among District employees, students and parents. 

“The District and Police Departments share a common goal for the safety of our community members, particularly our youth,” said Mary Gavigan, Superintendent of Schools.  “The drug drop-off will advance our vision of creating a safe community that supports children and families.”

Additional drug drop-off sites on April 30th include the Bayside Police Department (9075 N. Regent), UW-Milwaukee Police Department (3400 N. Maryland Ave.), and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (One Brewers Way-Parking lot of Miller Park).

In addition to the April 30th date, the Whitefish Bay Police Department accepts unwanted prescription medication from Whitefish Bay residents during the hours of 8:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday and on Saturday between the hours of 8:00am and 2:00pm.

For more information, visit: www.nationaltakebackday.com


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