Prescription Drug Take-Back, October 29

By Wendy Osher

MPD parking lot.

The state is once again offering a take-back effort to collect unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs.

Collection sites are being set up across the state, with a National Take-Back Event for prescription drugs on October 29.

On that day, the Maui Police Department will serve as the collection point on Maui.  The community can bring their expired or unused prescription medications to the parking lot at 55 Mahalani Street between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.  Tablets, capsules, and all other solid dosage forms will be accepted.

“Unused or expired prescription drugs pose serious health and safety risks for those in our state,” said Attorney General Louie.

Officials say unused or expired medicine can pose a variety of risks and should not be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet.

Proper disposal, authorities say, helps reduce the risk of prescription drugs being used inappropriately, and reduces the risk of the drugs entering a human water supply and potentially harming aquatic life.

This is the third take-back effort in which the department is involved.  Other agencies sponsoring the event include the Narcotics Enforcement Division (NED) and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Last year, approximately 70% of controlled substances that were brought into the Take-Back program were identified as narcotic/pain killers.

“This year’s DEA, National Take-Back Event for prescription drugs on October 29, 2011 will also coincide with DEA’s Red Ribbon Week, which is a week-long initiative to raise awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing our community,” said Robin Dinlocker, DEA Special-Agent-in-Charge.

“It encourages parents, educators, business owners, and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles,” said Dinlocker.