Get rid of old medications during National Drug Take Back Day

The Kaua‘i Police Department, in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, is collecting unused, unwanted, or expired medications for National Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at KPD headquarters located at 3990 Ka‘ana Street, in Līhu‘e.

The collection will consist of a drive-thru drop-off service in the breezeway at the parking lot roundabout.

Tablets, capsules, liquids, and other forms of medication – prescription or nonprescription – including patches, will be accepted. New or used needles and syringes will not be accepted.

This service is free and anonymous, and no questions will be asked.

The event is part of a national initiative coordinated by the DEA, which focuses on providing a safe, convenient, and responsible method of disposing of medications while educating the community about the potential for abuse and the consequences of improper storage and disposal. Expired medication should not be discarded in the trash or flushed down the toilet.

Improperly disposed of prescription drugs can potentially enter the water supply and harm aquatic life. Expired medication can also contribute to misuse or abuse of the drug. According to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who misused a prescription medication obtained it from a family member or friend.

The state is now in its 14th year of holding the DEA’s Drug Take Back Initiative, which has resulted in a collection of more than 53,000 pounds of prescription medications. Anyone unable to participate in this National Drug Take Back Day can visit KPD headquarters at any time and anonymously drop off unused or expired medication via the permanently installed medication dropbox.

For more information on the National Drug Take Back Initiative, please visit the DEA’s website at www.dea.gov or contact KPD Investigative Services Bureau Acting Assistant Chief Paul Applegate at 808-241-1696 or capplegate@kauai.gov.

Anyone needing an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability may contact Acting Assistant Chief Applegate at the number and email above to make their request. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill any requests.