HPD to Hold Drug Take-Back Day

Big Island Now stock photo. Oct. 2016

The Hawaiʻi Police Department is encouraging the public to participate in a nationwide prescription drug take-back initiative on Saturday, Oct. 22.

The public may turn in unused, unneeded or expired prescription medications between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following collection sites for safe, anonymous disposal:

Ka Waena Lapa‘au Medical Complex parking lot
670 Ponahawai St.
Hilo

Kona police station parking lot
74-0611 Hale Makaʻi Place
Kailua-Kona

Tablets, capsules and all other solid dosage forms of medication will be accepted. New or used needles and syringes will not be accepted.

Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.

Having unused and expired medicine in your home increases the risk of prescription drug abuse and accidental poisoning. Proper disposal also helps reduce the risk of prescription drugs entering a human water supply or potentially harming aquatic life.

For more information about the drug take-back program, visit www.dea.gov.