Health department announces sharps and prescription medication disposal event

The Oneida County Health Department has announced a sharps and medication disposal opportunity later this month.

Dispose of your medical sharps on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Oneida County Solid Waste Department (7450 County Highway K, Rhinelander) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sharps must be packaged safely and will only be accepted at the Oneida County Solid Waste Department.

Medical sharps (such as needles, syringes and lancets) pose a risk for injury and exposure to diseases for anyone who comes in contact with them, the release states. It is important to properly package and dispose of all sharps. For more information on safe disposal of household sharps, visit https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/HealthWaste/HouseholdSharps.html.

In addition, various locations throughout Oneida County will be accepting unused or expired medications on this date as part of the statewide Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Drug disposal is confidential.

Drug Take Back locations include (Open Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.):

• Rhinelander Police Department

• Three Lakes Police Department

• Minocqua Police Department

• Oneida County Solid Waste Department (County Highway K)

“Unused medications create unnecessary risk,” the release states. “Properly disposing of prescription painkillers helps keep them out of the hands of youth. You should never flush or drain your unused prescriptions medications. Together, we can help prevent prescription painkiller abuse and addiction.” 

To find more drug disposal locations, go to https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/index.htm.

For more information on the Drug and Sharps Take Back Day Event, contact the Oneida County Health Department at 715-369-6111.