NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 17, 2023
CONTACT: Kyra Kjeldahl
Opioid and Substance Misuse Prevention VISTA
218-471-7618 (office)
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is April 22
Saturday, April 22, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Medication drop boxes will be staffed and available for take-back from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the St. Louis County Sheriff's offices in Virginia and Hibbing. Medications to be disposed of should be brought in in their
original containers with any personal identifying information crossed off.
The goal of the Take-Back Day event is to remind people of the importance of safely disposing of un-used and expired medications. Proper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications helps prevent accidental poisoning, reduces the possibility of medication misuse, and prevents water pollution and other environmental threats.
A similar event is being coordinated by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District to serve resdients in the southern part of the county. That event will be Friday, April 21, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WLSSD Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Duluth. More information is available at Medicine Disposal | WLSSD.
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 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 KjeldahlK@StLouisCountyMN.gov or 218-471-7618 for information about alternative disposal methods, such as a free DisposeRx kit.
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