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 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 one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse.

• The program is free & anonymous.
• Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted.
• Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted.
• 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? Try the DEA National Drug Take-Back Initiative Collection Site Search service.

National Take-Back Initiative collection event media release
State of Hawai‘i Attorney General Office Announcement with locations & times informational flyer
Hawai‘i Police Department Announcement of Drug Take-Back Initiative

Location:
Hilo - Ka Waena Lapa‘au Medical Complex (upper parking lot), 670 Ponohawai St.