KAILUA-KONA — The Department of the Attorney General hopes to double its collection of unused or expired medications at the upcoming Take-Back Initiative.
The AG’s office is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration, state Narcotics Enforcement Division and the Department of Public Safety to coordinate Saturday’s event, with collection points on Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii Island. This will be the DEA’s 15th National Take-Back Initiative, now in its ninth year for the state of Hawaii.
On the Big Island, residents can anonymously drop off medications in Kailua-Kona at the Kealakehe police station, located at 74-0611 Hale Makai Place.
They can also do a drop-off in Hilo at Ka Waena Lapaau Medical Complex in the upper parking lot at 670 Ponahawai St., at the corner of Ponahawai and Komohana streets.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Normally, officials say they collect approximately 1,500 pounds of unused or expired medications statewide. The goal this year is to take back 3,000 pounds.
“Prescription drug misuse continues to be a serious concern,” said Attorney General Russell Suzuki. “This event is an important part of the state’s drug misuse education and prevention strategy.”
In Hawaii, from September 2010 to October 2017, nearly 30,500 pounds of pharmaceuticals were safely collected and disposed of during previous take-back events, according to a press release from the AG’s office. Nationwide, 4,508 tons have been collected since September 2010.
“The Take-Back Initiative is convenient and free; it provides a safe and appropriate way for the public to dispose of unused medication,” said NED administrator Jared Redulla.
The AG’s office says having unused or expired medicine in the home increases the risk of accidental poisoning.
Unused or expired medications should be disposed of properly when they are no longer needed as medicines may lose their effectiveness after the expiration date and improper use of prescription drugs can be as dangerous as illegal drug use, the AG’s office states.
The AG’s office advised that medicine should not be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet.
“Proper disposal helps reduce the risk of prescription drugs entering the human water supply or potentially harming aquatic life,” the release states.
For more information on the Take-Back Initiative visit www.dea.gov or www.ag.hawaii.gov.
