Saturday, Oct. 26, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, an opportunity for people to safely dispose of unused or expired medications.
Drop boxes will be staffed and available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for take-back events across the country.
The event takes place twice a year to highlight the importance of getting rid of medications that are no longer needed. Proper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications in a local drop box helps prevent accidental poisoning and reduces the possibility of medication misuse. It also prevents water pollution and other environmental threats.
In St. Louis County, collection points will be at the sheriff’s offices in Virginia, Hibbing and Ely, and there are dozens more throughout the region.
Visit dea.gov/takebackday to find one near you.
Medications to be disposed of should be brought in in their original containers with any personal identifying information crossed off.
Numerous law enforcement agencies and pharmacies in Northern Minnesota offer secure disposal boxes where medications can be disposed of anonymously year-round.
While these programs are the best way to dispose, transportation and access issues may make it difficult for some.
Contact your county government for more information on other disposal methods, such as a free medication mail-back envelope or a DisposeRx kit.
-
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe staff also found starry stonewort in Six Mile Lake, near the city of Cass Lake. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Bemidji Planning Board voted 6-1 to prohibit new developments of data centers greater than 10,000 square feet during its meeting Sept. 14, 2026. -
Contributed/USFWS Midwest RegionDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Sept. 15, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer discovers Nevada flora and fauna and notes seasonal transitions in Northern MN. -
Plus: DNR cancels mineral lease for Twin Metals; and ICE's immigration crackdown last winter may have ripple effects for farm labor during harvest season. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Ezra Collective, Sylvan Esso, Pokey LaFarge, Downtown Boys, Valerie June, Willi Carlisle, and Ex:Re. Plus our Pick From '76, Sparks. -
Contributed/Twin Metals Minnesota via MinnPostThe action comes weeks after executive action by Gov. Tim Walz halted the mining company's efforts to establish a copper-nickel mine in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Bureau of Indian Affairs announced it was assuming operations of family and children services in Red Lake following a raid on Sept. 10, 2026. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionAn estimated 15,000–20,000 seasonal agricultural workers arrive for work in Minnesota during the peak harvesting season, according to the National institutes of Health. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionMinnesota lawmakers heard testimony Sept. 9, 2026, about the domino effects felt by people closely tied to human service programs as the state combats fraud. -
Contributed/MedicAlert UK via Unsplash.comThe standard began Sept. 10, 2026, following approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Aug. 11.
