Safe Storage & Disposal of Prescription Drugs

If not stored securely, your medication may more easily fall into the wrong hands. Your prescription drugs may be accessed without your knowledge by young children, family members of all ages, outside visitors, or help hired to work in your home.

Certain prescription drugs are misused - taken without a prescription - by people to get high. Commonly misused medications include those used to treat pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, or ADHD. These should always be locked up!

For a FREE lock bag or box, please contact Linda at Sauk County Public Health by emailing Linda.Jenkins@saukcountywi.gov or calling (608) 355-4338. 

To prevent misuse, properly dispose of unused or expired medications. Never flush or pour them down the drain - it can contaminate our water supply. Here are two options for you to safely get rid of unneeded prescription drugs:

1. Best option: bring them to a secure take-back location, such as your local police department.  In Sauk County, you may take your prescription drugs to confidential drop boxes at the Sauk County Sheriff's Office or the police department in Baraboo, Lake Delton, Reedsburg, Sauk Prairie, Spring Green, or Wisconsin Dells. To find these and additional locations, visit www.DoseOfRealityWI.gov/Drug-TakeBack.

2. Contact Sauk County Public Health for FREE at-home medication deactivation units. At home, just add water and medications to the product, and then throw it away - it's biodegradable, and once deactivated, safe for landfills.

To get FREE at-home medication deactivation units, please contact Linda at Sauk County Public Health by emailing Linda.Jenkins@saukcountywi.gov or calling (608) 355-4338.