New Option for Disposing of Unused/Expired Medications for Clark County Residents

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 -- 1:01 PM

Clark County residents now have a new option for disposing of unused or expired medications, thanks to the installation of a new large-scale medication disposal box inside the vestibule of the Owen City Hall (833 West 3rd Street).

It is accessible 24/7. The unit was installed in June and comes at no cost to the city, with funding provided by the State Opioid Response Grant through the Northwoods Coalition.

The disposal unit is tamper-resistant and functions similar to an outdoor mail receptacle, in that individuals open a compartment on the front of the unit, place their unwanted or expired medications inside, close the compartment, and then let the medications fall down through a chute and into an internal collection bin.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Owen-Withee Police Department, will oversee regular emptying of the bin and the safe, authorized destruction of the medications.

Leaving unused or expired medications in the home can pose serious risks, including accidental poisoning, especially for children and pets, or misuse by individuals seeking access to controlled substances.

This disposal option helps reduce those risks while also protecting the environment. Flushing medications down the toilet or sink is strongly discouraged, as it can contaminate water sources and damage aquatic ecosystems.

Before depositing items into the unit, residents should ensure all personal information has been removed from prescription labels. If label removal is too difficult, pills can be placed in sealable plastic bags for disposal.

The drop box is intended for solid medications only, items such as liquids, lotions, aerosol cans, inhalers, thermometers, hazardous chemicals, and general household waste are not permitted.

In addition to Owen City Hall, Clark County offers several other secure medication disposal sites, including the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Colby-Abbotsford Police Department, Loyal Police Department, and Thorp City Hall.

For more information on proper medication disposal and to find hours of operation for each site, visit the Clark County Health Department’s “Resources” page at https://www.clarkcountywi.gov/ph-resources.

By utilizing these services, residents can help promote public health, protect the environment, and prevent prescription drug misuse in our community.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.