Over 400 pounds of unneeded medication collected during National Drug Take Back Day

Approximately 423 pounds of unneeded medication was collected during this year’s National Drug Take Back Day on Kaua‘i.

The annual event, held on April 27, was hosted by Kaua‘i Police Department in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, giving the public a safe way to dispose of old, unwanted and expired prescription medications.

“Our community answered the call to purge their homes of unwanted medications to protect their loved ones against the dangers posed by deadly drugs and drug poisonings,” said Assistant Chief Kalani Ke.

For more than a decade, the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day has removed almost 18 million pounds of unneeded medications from communities across the country. These medications can be a gateway to addiction.

Medications can accumulate for a variety of reasons. Doctors may adjust dosages, medications may be prescribed for pain relief and not consumed entirely, while others have expired and are forgotten. According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who use prescription medication for a non-medical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend.

Removing unnecessary prescription medications from the home can help to prevent potential misuse or harm.

How to prepare unneeded medications for safe disposal:

• Collect the unwanted, unused, and expired medicines that you plan to dispose of.
• Remove or black out any personal information from the labels or packaging.
• Keep the products in their prescription bottles or packaging and place them in a clear, sealed bag.
• Be sure to store products you plan to dispose of in a secure location and out of reach of children or pets.

KPD encourages the public to remove unneeded medications from their home regularly and dispose of it at one of the permanent medication dropboxes located at KPD headquarters in Līhu‘e.

The service is free, anonymous and available 24/7.