La Crosse drug drop-boxes collect over 800 pounds on National Take Back Day

Wisconsin collected more drugs than any other state.

Wisconsin collected more unused medications and other drugs during the National Take Back Day in April than any other state in the country, totaling 66,830 pounds.

In La Crosse County, over 800 pounds were collected, according to Al Bliss with the La Crosse County Heroin Task Force.

There are 10 drug drop off boxes locally, which helped contribute to the state’s collection.

Bliss said this Wisconsin’s collection totals will make a big impact in the long term.

“That’s really going to help in terms of diversion, as far as prescription drugs that may be stolen or sold,” Bliss said. “We don’t think that that’s going to happen from our own medicine cabinet but unfortunately that’s where it most often occurs.” 

Bliss added that the connection between pain killers and overdoses is often overlooked. Fifteen of the 25 overdose deaths in the county last year included prescription opiates.

The medication was secured and hauled in three semi-trailers before being incinerated at an energy plant in Indianapolis.