"Get them all the help you can": Drug Take Back Day in Milwaukee

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- In an effort to prevent drug addiction before it starts, people across the country are getting rid of unused prescription medications as part of National Drug Take Back Day. 

The Milwaukee Police Department, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Wisconsin Department of Justice partnered up to safely dispose of drugs so they don't get into the wrong hands.

The collection site for Milwaukee was held at Miller Park. People dropped off loads of over-the-counter and prescription medications. 

According to Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel, drug take back events are part of the solution to fight the opioid epidemic. "We know that 80-percent of the people using heroin got started by abusing prescription painkillers," he said. "We know that over 70-percent of the people who start using painkillers improperly first got them from a family member or a friend, they came from somebody's medicine cabinet."

Lee Williquette is well aware of the problem. "I have a younger brother who was a substance abuser and I buried him June 12th. "He had a life-long problem with that, unfortunately."

So far this year, there have been 246 overdose deaths in Milwaukee County, according to the medical examiner.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction -- there is help available. The Wisconsin Addiction Recovery helpline launched this week. All you have to do is call 211 and you will be connected to trained specialists and treatment resources. 







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