Categorized | Education, Health

National drug take-back day Saturday (Oct 26)

MEDIA RELEASE

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

On Saturday, October 26, members of 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 LapaÊ»au Medical Complex parking lot
    670 Ponahawai Street
    Hilo
  • Kona Police Station
    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.

With robust public participation throughout 17 prior events, the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens.

Tomorrow, Saturday (October 26), in continuation of this effort, DEA and its national, tribal, and community partners will hold the 18th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day across the country. The service is free and anonymous.

For the first time, DEA will now accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop off locations during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. It is important to note that DEA cannot accept devices containing lithium-ion batteries. If batteries cannot be removed before drop-off, DEA encourages individuals to consult with stores that recycle lithium-ion batteries.

Concerns have been raised across the United States over illnesses and death caused by vaping and the high youth vaping initiation rates. To support a healthy lifestyle and energetic population, especially amongst America’s youth, DEA is committed to doing all it can to help safely dispose of vaping devices and substances. 

“DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative helps get unused and unwanted prescription medications out of circulation and ensures their safe disposal,” said Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon.  “This year, we are taking a step further by accepting vaping devices and cartridges as we work with our federal partners to combat this emerging public health threat to the nation’s youth.”

Now in its tenth year, DEA has collected a total of more than 11 million pounds (almost 6,000 tons) of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events. DEA is continuing to register law enforcement partners, and collection sites for the upcoming Take Back Day. As of Oct. 15, more than 4,500 registered law enforcement partners will assist with more than 5,250 registered sites and 135 tribal locations across the country, with more being added each day Collection sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539.

National Take-Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last April, the public turned in 469 tons (937,443pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 6,258 sites operated by the DEA and its 4,969 local and tribal partners.  

For more information about the harms of youth vaping, please visit https://www.justthinktwice.gov/facts/vaping-what-you-should-know.

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