Prescription drug take-back events set in Hilo, Kona

If you have expired medications in your home medicine cabinet, Saturday’s the day to get rid of them safely.

The Hawaii Police Department announced Hawaii Island participation in a nationwide prescription drug take-back initiative.

Turn in “unused, unneeded or expired prescription medications” for “safe, anonymous disposal” any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at:

• Ka Waena Lapa‘au Medical Complex parking lot, 670 Ponahawai St. in Hilo.

• The Kona police station parking lot, 74-0611 Hale Maka‘i Place in Kailua-Kona.

“Tablets, capsules and all other solid dosage forms of medication will be accepted,” says the department’s announcement. Neither new nor used syringes will be accepted. Illicit marijuana, methamphetamine and other street drugs are not a part of the initiative.

The goal is to decrease the chance of accidental poisoning and drug abuse, while decreasing the risk of drugs entering the water supply or harming aquatic life.

For more information about the drug take-back program, visit www.dea.gov.