Kaua‘i community discards over 400 pounds of old medications

Published on May 01, 2024

LĪHUʻE – On Apr. 27, the community came together once again to help safely dispose of old, unwanted and expired prescription medications. The National Drug Take Back Day, an event hosted by the Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), collected 423 pounds of unneeded medication this past Saturday.

“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. “Mahalo for your support to protect Kaua‘i and create healthier environments by ensuring that deteriorating or forgotten medications are safely disposed of.”

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 (SAMHSA), most people who use prescription medication for a nonmedical 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 location that is secure 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. 

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