Making a safe deposit: St. Croix County Medication Disposal Program

• The drug drop box in the lobby of the HPD

The drug drop box in the lobby of the HPD has complete instructions about how to dispose of unwanted drugs and medication including zip-top bags. Photo by Meg Heaton
• Students from HHS designed, built and installed a drug drop-off box

Students from HHS designed, built and installed a drug drop-off box in the lobby of the Hudson Police Department. Pictured from left are Justin Brosch, teacher Tom Klatt, Shane Mueller, Danny Lawler, Travis Slava, Shawn Lockney, Austin Peterson, Zack Stilwell, Derek Sobiech, Derek Campbell, Andy Wang, Mike Bruegger, City Council member Mary Yacoub, Gale Qualls and Tom Zeuli; in front from left, Dolly Qualls and Adam Ramberg. Submitted photo

Talk about it

There are now three safe disposal options for old or unneeded medications and prescription drugs in the Hudson area.

The St. Croix County Medication Disposal Program has 11 drop-off locations countywide. In Hudson, the sites are located at the Hudson Police Department, 101 Vine St., North Hudson Police Department, 400 Seventh St. N., and St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department, 1101 Carmichael Road.

In addition to prescription drugs and medicines, the program allows for the safe disposal of drugs in addition to over-the-counter medications, vitamins, liquids, inhalers, sprays and most pet medications.

All pills must be removed from their original containers and placed in zip-top bags. Containers should be recycled per garbage hauler guidelines.

Liquids, creams and gels can remain in their original container but the name or label should be removed. The containers should be placed in zip-top bags.

Items that cannot be accepted at the drop-off sites include anything sharp like needles, oxygen tanks, nebulizers or radioactive cancer medications.

Retired Hudson teacher Dolly Qualls and her husband Gale have led the effort to see the drug drop-off boxes installed. Dolly said the program not only allows for the safe disposal of potentially dangerous drugs and medication but also prevents damage to surface and groundwater from improper disposal, accidental child poisoning and potential substance abuse from the theft or misuse of prescription drugs.

The local drop-off sites have been constructed and installed by volunteers. The HPD site was designed, constructed and installed by members of Hudson High School teacher Tom Klatt’s technical education class.

HPD Chief Jensen said, “Tom Klatt and his students worked hard on this project and did a great job. Their help will allow my department, and the community, to collect and dispose of unused or old medications that could have gotten into our drinking water or, worse, into the hands of our children.”

The North Hudson drop-off site was built and installed by Roger Norelius with help from North Hudson public works employee Mark Olstad.

At the March 1 village board meeting, NHPD Chief Mark Richert thanked the Qualls for their efforts to get the project up and running and Norelius for his work in designing the drop.

Dolly Qualls wanted to remind people that there will be a major drug and medication collection from all county sites on April 30 and that the cost of disposal from that collection will be picked up by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The cost to dispose of the collection locally is $2 per pound.

“It is important to take advantage of the April 30 collection. Take a look now, clean and toss out what you no longer need, want or can use,” said Qualls.

For more information about the program and guidelines visit www.sccwi.us/safemedsdrop.

Tags: saint croix county, communities, health