Have leftover or unused medications? Drop them off at convenient locations in Eau Claire or Altoona for free disposal on Saturday, Oct. 28, National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Keeping unused medications inside your house makes it more likely other people may find and misuse them, which could lead to an overdose or accidental poisoning. Disposing of your unused medication can help save a life.

This fall’s prescription drug take-back event will be held from 10am to 2pm this Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Altoona Emergency Services building (1904 Spooner Ave.) and at Marshfield Medical Center-Eau Claire (curbside drop-off at 2116 Craig Road, Eau Claire, Medical Offices, Door B – see map below.)

Drop off is anonymous, fast, and free: Just open your medicine cabinet, gather what you no longer need, remove or cover up personal information on the prescription label, and drop the medications off at the Altoona or Eau Claire site.

The public is encouraged to drop off prescription and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, non-aerosol sprays, inhalers, creams, vials, and even pet medications.

• Blister packages are acceptable if the medications haven’t been removed.
• Liquid medications, creams, and sprays must be in their original packaging.

Since 2012, more than 38,700 pounds of medication has been gathered in Eau Claire County from Take-Back events and permanent medication drop boxes.

“Take a few minutes this Saturday to safely dispose of unused or expired medications at one of the two drop-off locations in our county,” says Sarah Dillivan-Pospisil, Public Health Specialist with the Eau Claire City-County Health Department. “This is an easy way to remove medications from your home, which prevents younger children or pets from accidentally finding and consuming the medication.”

If you can’t participate on Saturday, don’t flush your medication! In Eau Claire County, 10 permanent medication drop boxes are available year-round. Find a drop box near you by visiting www.ECHealthAlliance.org/resources and scrolling to “Drug take-back locations in Eau Claire County.”