Rock County Officials Host Prescription Drug PickUp

Rock County residents are taking steps this weekend to prevent old and unwanted medications from getting into the wrong hands.

Officials said that having old prescription drugs lying around the house isn’t only a potential environmental concern, but a public safety concern.

Rock County residents are getting some much-needed cleaning done under the watchful eye of sheriff’s deputies.

“I was getting some medicine down out of the cabinet and another prescription fell out, and when I looked at the date it was really old,” said Clinton resident Barbra Bushue.

“I know we’re not supposed to put them in the garbage or down the toilet,” said Janesville resident Phyllis Carr. “So I’ve been kind of waiting for something like this.”

In conjunction with the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Rock County sheriff’s office is hosting a drug drop off event.

Sgt. Doug Coulter said turning the meds over to law enforcement leaders helps keep them from getting into the wrong hands.

“Over the years you’ve seen a rise with teenagers abusing and getting a hold of these drugs, and abusing them getting addicted to oxycotin things like that,” said Sgt. Coulter.

In 2010, 13-year-old Alex Aiken of Milton died of an oxycodone overdose. Investigators say his friends stole the medication and gave it to him.

Now, Janesville, Beloit and Milton all have drug drop boxes located at their local police stations.

Coulter said the medications will be taken to Madison and disposed of by the DEA.

He said they won’t know how many pounds they collected in Rock County until it’s weighed on Monday.

Last year nationwide state and local law enforcement agencies collected 309 tons of pills, according to the DEA.