Aspirus Wausau Hospital (AWH) is adding one more resource to the community to help fight medication misuse.
Two drop boxes were installed in the AWH Entrance A lobby for public use. One box is for unused or expired medication while the other is a SHARPS bin used for disposal of needles or sharp medical items.
“As the opiate epidemic grows, it’s imperative that community members do their part in reducing access to medications that can be abused,” says Aspirus Director of System Community health Improvement. “One way to do that is to get unneeded medications out of homes and into one of the County’s medicine drop boxes.”
Why use a medication drop box?
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT: Studies have found traces of pharmaceuticals in wastewater throughout the United States. Even after wastewater is treated and discharged, these pharmaceuticals persist in the environment. Preventing them from entering these ecosystems will maintain the integrity, diversity, and value of our natural resources.
INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY: According to the National Survey on Drug Abuse & Health, 70% of those 12 years & older who abuse painkillers obtained them through a friend or relative, both legally and illegally.
IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH: Throwing unused or unwanted medications in the trash, or leaving them out, can lead to dangerous unintended exposure to people or animals. Treat and store both prescription and over-the-counter drugs like any other poison.
One can visit the Marathon County Solid Waste Department’s website to find more medication drop box locations in Marathon County in addition to the AWH drop box.