HONOLULU (KHON2) — National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 26, and multiple agencies are partnering to get expired or unused medications off the streets.
The Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Hawaiʻi Department of Law Enforcement will host drive-through collection sites nationwide.
Anyone with expired or unused medications is encouraged to drop them off at a collection site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The service is free and anonymous — meaning no questions will be asked.
Medications can be kept in the original container and the labels do not need to be removed.
Officials said drive-throughs will accept vaping devices but the batteries must be removed. New or used syringes will not be accepted.
This is a great opportunity to rid homes of unused and expired medications. Prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved by others to abuse. Together we can keep Hawaiʻi safe from prescription drugs entering our land and ocean.
Valerie Mariano, Department of the Attorney General
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Victor Vazquez said these events take thousands of pounds of unneeded or potentially dangerous medications off the streets, where they can be safely destroyed.
Officials urge residents to take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, as it can prevent the risk of illegal drug use, accidental poisoning and more.
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The full list of takeback locations in Hawaiʻi can be found on the Attorney General’s website.