Drug Collection Well-Attended Despite Rain

Despite the rainy, dreary weather, a steady line of vehicles drove through the Drug Collection at Ruby Isle Saturday morning to drop off unused or expired medications.

Organized by the Waukesha County Drug Free Communities Coalition, collections were held Saturday morning at six sites around the county in Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Mukwonago, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee and Waukesha.

The collections were held from 9 to noon at all sites, except WCTC in Pewaukee whose collection continued until 1 p.m.

Many drivers said "thank you for doing this," grateful to have a place to safely dispose of medications.

Organizer Pat Kashmerick said the volunteer event was "important for our community's health, to keep drugs out of our waterways and our groundwater and out of the hands of youth."

Since 2009, about 250 volunteers have donated 950 hours to collect nearly 8,000 pounds of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications from 4,100 households.

The coalition accepts donations to help pay the approximately $26,000 expense to collect and properly dispose of 8,000 pounds of medications.