Prescription Medication Drop Boxes

The La Crosse County Heroin Task Force, along with the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department and Police Departments in La Crosse, Onalaska, Holmen, Town of Campbell, West Salem, and Bangor, announced this morning that each department will be installing prescription medication drop boxes.  The drug drop boxes were obtained through a grant from the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) in collaboration with CESA 4.  The program, which was developed in response to a growing demand for a safe and convenient way to dispose of household medications, will help deter the usage of prescription drugs by unintended parties, as well as protect the environment by ensuring proper disposal.

The drug drop boxes, available during each department’s normal business hours, will allow individuals to anonymously drop off unwanted, unused, or expired medication in a safe and easy way.  Police officers at each department will check the drop boxes regularly, collect the contents, and prepare it for disposal in a manner that is eco-friendly and in accordance with Federal and State laws.

Prescription medication abuse has been a significant problem in La Crosse County, as well as across the country, for many years.  According to a 2012, “Monitoring the Future” survey, prescription and over-the-counter drugs are among the most commonly abused drugs by 12th-graders, after alcohol, marijuana and tobacco.  These drop boxes are intended to prevent drug abuse and addiction by reducing the amount of excess medication in the community.

Please check with your local law enforcement agency for more information on drug drop box availability and department business hours:

• La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department – (608) 785-9629
• La Crosse Police Department – (608) 789-7238
• Onalaska Police Department – (608) 781-9550
• Holmen Police Department – (608) 526-4212
• Town of Campbell Police Department – (608) 783-1050
• West Salem Police Department – (608) 786-0407
• Bangor Police Department – (608) 486-4084

The La Crosse Police Department Drug Drop-off Box is available in the main lobby of the Police Department located at City Hall, 400 La Crosse Street, La Crosse, WI 54601.  It is available from 8:30AM – 5:00PM, Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays.  We accept all prescription medications in pill and patch form – please do not bring liquids or drug paraphernalia.  There is a “sharps” container available for needles and syringes.  You can leave the medication in the original container.  All items can be placed in the box anonymously.