SSM Health offers the community a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs.

by SSM Health

April 13, 2026 02:55 PM -

St. Louis, MO – SSM Health is aligning with the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, on April 25, by hosting a St. Louis ministry-based Drug Take Back Drive from April 20 to April 26, 2026.

The SSM Health Drug Take Back Drive program provides a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs. Unused prescription medications stored in home medicine cabinets can fall into the wrong hands, leading to dangerous and often tragic situations for both adults and children. This program ensures that the drugs are disposed of safely, preventing misuse or accidental ingestion.

SSM Health conducts this community collection twice a year, in April and October, in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. In 2025, SSM Health collected 1283.36 pounds of unused medication.

The community is encouraged to dispose of their old and unused prescription medications by dropping them off at any of the following SSM Health ministries. MedSafe bins for collecting unused prescription medications are located in the lobbies at:

  • SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
  • SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis
  • SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis
  • SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Fenton
  • SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – St. Charles
  • SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Wentzville
  • SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis

SSM Health promotes the use of MedSafe containers for hassle-free disposal of prescription and non-prescription medications. Disposal is free and anonymous, with no screening or check-in required. MedSafe bins are available to the community year-round.

###

About SSM Health
Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system working to advance health equity and empower all people to achieve their full potential.

With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, SSM Health provides convenient access to high-quality community-based services as well as world-class academic medicine, clinical trials, and research studies. The organization’s footprint includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company, and an accountable care organization. As one of the largest employers in every community it serves, the organization’s 40,000 team members and 15,000 providers are dedicated to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.” For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Member of the media or have a question for our public relations team?

View Media Contacts

Additional Regional News

SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital building in Lake Saint Louis.
SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis Celebrates New Cardiac Catheterization Lab

SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis recently completed the construction on a new cardiac catheterization laboratory, enhancing the hospital's ability to provide advanced cardiovascular care closer to home for patients throughout St. Charles, Warren, and Lincoln Counties.

Monique V. Swain, MD, FACOG
SSM Health and Saint Louis University School of Medicine Name Monique V. Swain MD Department Chair

SSM Health SLUCare Physician Group and Saint Louis University School of Medicine have named Monique V. Swain, MD, FACOG, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health.

SSM Health
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - St. Louis earns inaugural Missouri PQC Stars designation for advancing maternal and infant care

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital has been recognized by the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, in partnership with the Missouri Hospital Association, with the inaugural MO PQC Stars designation for its leadership in advancing evidence-based care through the Maternal-Infant Dyad Affected by Substance Use Disorder collaborative.

SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital building in Lake Saint Louis.
SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis Celebrates New Cardiac Catheterization Lab

SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis recently completed the construction on a new cardiac catheterization laboratory, enhancing the hospital's ability to provide advanced cardiovascular care closer to home for patients throughout St. Charles, Warren, and Lincoln Counties.

Monique V. Swain, MD, FACOG
SSM Health and Saint Louis University School of Medicine Name Monique V. Swain MD Department Chair

SSM Health SLUCare Physician Group and Saint Louis University School of Medicine have named Monique V. Swain, MD, FACOG, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health.

SSM Health
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - St. Louis earns inaugural Missouri PQC Stars designation for advancing maternal and infant care

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital has been recognized by the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, in partnership with the Missouri Hospital Association, with the inaugural MO PQC Stars designation for its leadership in advancing evidence-based care through the Maternal-Infant Dyad Affected by Substance Use Disorder collaborative.