Prescription Drug Turn-In

Oct. 29 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. It’s a day aimed at reminding people of the importance of safely disposing of unused and expired medications. Proper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications in a local drop box helps prevent accidental poisoning, reduces the possibility of medication misuse, and prevents water pollution and other environmental threats.

Medication drop boxes will be staffed and available for take-back events at the St. Louis County Sheriff’s offices in Virginia and Hibbing, and the Chisholm Police Department. Medications to be disposed of should be brought in in their original containers with any personal identifying information crossed off.

A similar event is being coordinated by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District to serve residents in the southern part of the county. That event will be Friday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WLSSD Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Duluth.

Meanwhile, numerous law enforcement agencies and pharmacies in St. Louis County offer secure disposal boxes where medications can be disposed of anonymously year-round. A list of locations, along with information about what is or isn’t accepted, is available online at stlouiscountymn.gov/medwaste.

While take-back programs are the best way to dispose of old drugs, transportation and access issues may make it difficult for some people to discard medications. Anyone who is unable to access a local drop box can contact Kyra Kjeldahl at 218-471-7618 or kjeldahlK @ stlouiscountymn.gov for information about alternative disposal methods, such as a free medication mail-back envelope or a DisposeRx kit.