(STATEWIDE) People across Wisconsin turned in more than 57,000 pounds of unwanted prescription medications this spring, helping the state rank first in the nation for drug take back collections for the 10th straight event.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced Wednesday that 57,054 pounds of medications were collected during the spring 2026 Drug Take Back campaign.
“This is the tenth time in a row that Wisconsin has led the nation in Drug Take Back,” Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement. “Thank you to those whose collaborative efforts have helped lead to this remarkable success and to the folks across Wisconsin who have safely disposed of medications.”
Since the Drug Enforcement Administration launched Drug Take Back events in 2010, Wisconsin has collected more than 1.48 million pounds of unused medications. Only Texas and California have collected more over that time.
The DEA organizes two national Drug Take Back events each year — one in the spring and one in the fall. The program is designed to help people safely dispose of unused or expired medications and reduce the risk of misuse, addiction and accidental poisoning.
While the statewide collection events only happen twice a year, permanent drug drop-off boxes are available year-round at locations across Dodge County, including the Beaver Dam Police Department, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Horicon Police Department, Juneau Police Department, Lomira Police Department and Mayville Police Department.
State officials say more than 500 permanent medication drop boxes are available across Wisconsin at law enforcement agencies, hospitals, pharmacies and health clinics.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice partners with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to promote the program statewide. Officials said this spring’s collection effort was also supported by several public and private partners, including the Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs and participating local law enforcement agencies.
