Get rid of unwanted, expired medications on Drug Take Back Day

Those with expired, unused or unwanted medications have a chance to get rid of them anonymously in October.

The Kauaʻi Police Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, will host a Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 26 at the KPD headquarters, located at 3990 Kaʻana Street in Līhuʻe. A drive-thru dropoff will be set up on the east side of the building.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Various forms of medications will be accepted, including tablets, capsules, liquids, and patches, whether prescription or nonprescription. Needles and syringes, whether new or used, will not be accepted.

Now in its 15th year, this initiative is part of a national campaign led by the DEA aimed at providing a secure and responsible way to dispose of medications while raising awareness about the risks of drug misuse and the importance of proper storage and disposal.

According to a KPD press release, the initiative has collected over 53,000 pounds of prescription medications across the state. During the last event in April, more than 3,200 pounds were turned in at collection sites throughout Hawai‘i.

According to a press release from KPD, improperly discarded medications can harm the environment and potentially enter the water supply, endangering aquatic life. Additionally, unused medications in homes pose a significant risk of misuse or abuse.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most individuals who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from friends or family.

For those unable to participate in Drug Take Back Day, KPD headquarters offers a permanently installed medication dropbox for anonymous disposal of unused or expired medications at any time.

For more information about the National Drug Take Back Initiative, visit the DEA’s website at www.dea.gov or contact KPD Criminal Investigations Division Capt. Darren Rose at 808-241-1696.