MEDIA RELEASE

The Police Department is encouraging the public to participate in a nationwide prescription drug take-back initiative being sponsored in Hawaii by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the state Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, 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:

* Hilo
Ponahawai Medical Complex parking lot
670 Ponahawai Street

* Kona
Police station parking lot
74-611 Hale Makai Place

Tablets, capsules and all other solid dosage forms will be accepted. Intravenous solutions, injectables 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.

— Find out more:
www.dea.gov