MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Police Department is encouraging the public to participate in a nationwide prescription drug take-back program being sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the state Department of the Attorney General, the Department of Public Safety and community partners.

On Oct. 29, members of the public can 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:

* National Guard Aviation facility
1095 Kekuanaoa St. (airport access road)
Hilo

* Kealakehe police station parking lot
74-611 Hale Makai Place
Kailua-Kona

Tablets, capsules and all other solid dosage forms will be accepted. Intravenous solutions, injectables and syringes will not be accepted. The drugs will be incinerated according to federal and state environmental guidelines.

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.