ST. LOUIS — SSM Health begins a regional drug-disposal drive Friday, Oct. 23, offering residents a free way to clear unused medications from their homes.
The collection runs through Oct. 30 at seven hospitals in the St. Louis region. SSM says its lobby MedSafe bins accept prescription and nonprescription medications, with anonymous disposal and no screening or check-in required.
Participating sites in the greater St. Louis area are DePaul Hospital, Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Clare Hospital in Fenton and St. Mary’s Hospital. St. Charles County locations are St. Joseph hospitals in Lake Saint Louis, St. Charles and Wentzville.
The drive coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24. SSM holds its community collection drives twice a year, in April and October.
The health system says the bins also remain available to the community throughout the year. Residents planning a visit should check the individual hospital’s access hours and accepted-item instructions before bringing materials.
Unused medication can pose a risk when someone takes it accidentally or uses it without a prescription, SSM notes. The collection gives households a designated disposal option instead of leaving unwanted medicine in a cabinet.
Sources: SSM Health collection announcement and participating sites.
