Sharps Now Being Accepted as Part of Drug Take Back

Last month, the Vilas County Youth Coalition and Vilas County Public Health Department put on the biannual Drug Take Back event in the lobby of the Vilas County Sheriff's Office. For the first time, residents were able to drop off sharps for safe and convenient disposal in addition to the unused and expired medications accepted at the event.

"This biannual event is to help educate county residents about the safe and responsible ways to dispose of medications and sharps," said Rachel Cornelius, community health educator and emergency preparedness coordinator for Vilas County Public Health Department. "Items like unused or expired medications or accessible sharps in homes create a public health safety concern because they can be accidentally misused. To help avoid these situations, the Vilas County Youth Coalition provided community members with free items like lock boxes, lock bags, at home medication disposal kits, and small, household sharps containers in efforts to keep homes safe and injury free."

Cornelius noted that since the last take back event in October 2024, the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office has collected and disposed of 194.5 pounds of unwanted medications, and 11.5 pounds of sharps.

The permanent medication disposal drop box is available to the public 24/7, at the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office. The Eagle River Police Department and Lac du Flambeau Police Department are also available collection sites, during regular their hours or operation.

To learn more information about Drug Take Back collection and available sites, visit dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm or doj.state.wi.us/dles/prescription-drug-take-back-day.

For more information about this and other services offered by the health department, contact Rachael Cornelius at 715-479-3657.