This Saturday, state agencies will collect and dispose of expired or unused prescription medications at two locations on Hawaii Island and around the state, as well.
Since September 2010, Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have collected nearly 6,700 pounds of expired and unused prescription medications, according to office of the state Department of the Attorney General. Nationwide, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) says public participation is high. They’ve held four such events in the past two years.
The free and anonymous drop-off service, dubbed the National Take-Back Initiative, accepts tablets, capsules and other solid-form medicine doses, the release stated. The effort is aimed at preventing pill abuse and theft. No questions will be asked about the drugs!
The turn-in will keep prescription drugs out of the hands of those who don’t need them, and also keeps the drugs from ending up in our water supply through improper disposal.
People may turn in unused drugs, including non-prescription medications and old expired vitamins and supplements between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at two locations:
• Army Aviation Support Facility adjacent to Civil Air Patrol, 1095 Kekuanaoa St., Hilo
• Hawaii County Police Department Kealakehe Station parking lot, 75-5221 Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, Kailua-Kona, up the road across from the Humane Society on the way to the Kealakehe Transfer Station
The Department of the Attorney General, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Narcotics Enforcement Division of the State Department of Public Safety are coordinating the event. Visit www.dea.gov for more information.
