Locations:
Hilo - Ka Waena Lapa‘au Medical Complex (Upper Parking Lot), 670 Ponohawai St., Hilo, HI 96720
Kona - Hawai‘i Police Department Kealakehe Police Station Parking Lot, 74-611 Hale Māka‘i Pl., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will coordinate a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety from accidental poisonings and groundwater contamination.

This recurring one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse and provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

• The program is free & anonymous.
• Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted.
• Liquid medications - cough medicine with codeine and other over-the-counter liquid medications accepted.
• Injectables (pre-loaded with medication) and needles/sharps/syringes will not be accepted.
• Vape or e-cigarette devices will be collected ONLY after the batteries have been safely removed.
• Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.

For more information, please visit the National Take-Back Initiative website or the State of Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General (media release page). Unsure of which location is closest to you or missed the event?  Try the DEA National Drug Take-Back Initiative Collection Site Search service.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day website
National Take-Back Initiative collection event media release
State of Hawai‘i Attorney General Office Announcement with locations & times informational flyer
National Drug Take-Back Initiative Flyer
Hawai‘i Police Department Announcement of Drug Take-Back Initiative (TBA)