MILWAUKEE/GREEN BAY/APPLETON — Members of the public can dispose of expired prescriptions, including controlled substances, at select VA facilities, on VA Medication Take Back Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
- Friday, Oct 28, at the Green Bay VA Clinic, 2851 University Ave., front entrance.
- Friday, Oct 28, at the Appleton VA Clinic, 10 Tri Park Way, front entrance.
- Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, 5000 W. National Ave., east entrance.
The public can drive through at the facility entrance to receive a pre-paid envelope used to dispose of medications through the U.S. postal service. At the Milwaukee VA, participants have the option to park and dispose of medications in the secure disposal receptacle near the East Entrance.
VA is aligning with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in welcoming non-Veterans to its health facilities across the nation for the purpose of safe and secure drug disposal on designated dates during the year. Any member of the public is welcome, whether they have any affiliation to Veterans or not.
“We are pleased to welcome non-Veteran members of our community to the VA facilities for our first-ever public VA Medication Take Back Day. I encourage people to dispose of old and unused prescriptions in this safe and secure manner,” said Milwaukee VA Police Chief Martin Runge. “It’s important for each of us to clean out our medicine cabinets regularly and to dispose of medications to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our environment.”
This action is the result of legislation signed into law by President Biden on July 29, 2021. The Dispose of Unused Medications and Prescription (DUMP) Opioids Act requires VA to establish designated time periods when Veterans and non-Veterans can dispose of opioids and other controlled substance and medications at covered VA facilities. A covered facility is a VA medical facility with an onsite pharmacy and/or a physical location dedicated for law enforcement purposes.
Civilians who can’t participate in VA Take Back Days can use DEA’s Public Disposal Locations Search Tool to find year-round collection sites. DEA holds twice yearly Take Back Days, on the last Saturdays of April and October.
Veterans enrolled for VA care can bring their expired and unused medications to their VA site of care for disposal at any time by contacting their local VA Police Service or VA Pharmacy.
For more information about VA Medication Take Back Day, contact the Milwaukee VA Police Department at 414-384-2000, ext. 42222.
