Drop Off Unused or Expired Medications, April 29
The Department of the Attorney General will be partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the State Narcotics Enforcement Division to coordinate a prescription drug take-back event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2017, at the Wailuku Police Station.
The prescription drug take-back event happens on Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Wailuku Police Station. Photo Courtesy
This will be the 13th National Take-Back Initiative for the State of Hawaiʻi, with additional collection points on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.
In Hawaiʻi, from September 2010 through October 2016, over 24,500 pounds of pharmaceuticals have been safely collected and disposed of at the previous twelve take-back events. Nationwide, the take-backs have collected a total of 3,601 tons of pharmaceuticals.
“The Take Back Initiative provides a safe and friendly way to dispose of drugs you did not use. As you do your spring cleaning, take advantage of this opportunity,” said Attorney General Douglas Chin.
“Prescription drug abuse in Hawaiʻi continues to be a concern and DEA is pleased to be working once again with the community as well as our state local partners to support the National Take Back Initiative,” added Robin Dinlocker, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA.
The public is encouraged to bring in expired or unused prescription medication to the collection sites. This service is free and anonymous – no questions asked. Tablets, capsules and all other solid forms of medication will be accepted.
*New or used needles and syringes will not be accepted.
Unused or expired medicine should be disposed of properly when it is no longer needed for which it was prescribed.
• Medicines may lose their effectiveness after the expiration date.
• Improper use of prescription drugs can be as dangerous as illegal drug use.
Having unused or expired medicine in your home increases the risk of accidental poisoning.
• Homes where children or the elderly live are especially vulnerable to this danger.
• People may mistake one type of medicine for another type.
• Children may mistake medicine for candy.
Unused or expired medicine should not be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet.
• Proper disposal helps reduce the risk of prescription drugs entering a human water supply or potentially harming aquatic life.
“Since 2010, the State Department of Public Safety, Narcotics Enforcement Division has been an avid supporter of the DEA National Prescription Take-Back Initiative, which continues to be a well-received opportunity for the public to properly discard of their expired and unwanted medications. As the abuse of medication continues to climb at a consistent pace across our state and the nation, the State of Hawaiʻi is dedicated to protecting it’s communities from the diversion and abuse of stored, unused medications and the prevention of medications finding their way into our precious lands and water systems. We encourage our communities to join the DEA, State and local enforcement partners by bringing their unwanted medications to one of the various collection sites across the State,” said NED Administrator, Jared Redulla.
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