Hawai‘i Launches Medication Drop Box Program

The State of Hawai‘i has launched The Hawai‘i Medication Drop Box Program, a major collaboration to ensure a more convenient way for the public to drop off unused prescription drugs at designated police stations across the state.

In 2017, Governor David Ige convened a statewide Opioid Initiative to prevent experiencing the alarming rate of opioid-related overdoses and deaths as seen in other states.  The multi-agency collaboration resulted in an action plan, which included implementing a Medication Drop Box Program with the help of police departments in every county.

“This is a game-changer for a serious public health issue,” said Lt. Governor Douglas Chin. “We’re being proactive and making it easier to remove dangerous drugs from our homes, schools and streets 365 days a year.”

“The DEA applauds the efforts that the State of Hawai‘i has made to offer year-round medication drop-boxes,” said John Callery, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Honolulu District Office. “This is another step in the right direction to thwart our nation’s opioid crisis in our communities here in Hawai‘i.  Mahalo to the Governor’s Office and our law enforcement leadership for spearheading this outstanding initiative.”

Each drop box is made of 14-gauge powder-coated steel and weighs 150 pounds. They measure 61 inches tall, 21.5 inches wide and 22 inches deep.  Participating police departments are implementing the Drop Box Program on their respective island according to their policies, protocols and designated locations.

The Drop Box Program will also help deter the public from discarding expired medicine in the trash or down the toilet, polluting the environment. Proper disposal helps reduce the risk of prescription drugs entering the human water supply or potentially harming aquatic life.

“With the increasing problem of opioid abuse throughout the nation, we believe this proactive approach to addressing this epidemic will help our communities avoid the horrible effects of opioids,” said Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu. “As a tri-isle county, this service will help our community dispose of unwanted medicine.”

Maui Police already received six drop boxes while Kaua‘i Police got three and Hawai‘i Police received eight. Every steel drop box will be bolted into place and accessible to the public.

Every state, county and federal agency involved in this program is committed to working together to keep Hawai‘i safe. As members of the Hawai‘i Opioid Initiative, they will continue to work toward reducing substance abuse in our communities.

For more information about the Hawai‘i Medication Drop Box Program, go to http://health.hawaii.gov/substance-abuse/

Maui Drop Box’s Can Be Found At:

Wailuku Station at 55 Mahalani Street (placed within Receiving Desk Lobby)
Lanai Station at 855 Fraser Avenue, Lanai City (placed within front lobby)
Hana Station at 4611 Hana Highway, Hana (location to be finalized)
Lahaina Station at 1850 Honoapiilani Highway, Lahaina (placed within front lobby)
Molokai Station at 110 Ainoa Street, Kaunakakai (location to be finalized)
Kihei Station at 2201 Piilani Highway, Kihei (placed within front lobby)