LIHU‘E — A total of 423 pounds of unneeded medication was collected in this year’s National Drug Take Back 2024 on Kaua‘i.
On April 27, residents safely and conveniently disposed of old, unwanted and expired prescription medications in a event hosted by the Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
“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 KPD Assistant Chief Kalani Ke.
Most individuals misuse prescription drugs, which oftentimes leads to addiction. Anyone can make a difference by keeping track of the medicine you have, and by rethinking where and how you store medications in your home.
Medications can accumulate for numerous reasons, such as dosage adjustments, medication changes, and not being consumed entirely, while others simply forget and medications expire.
Since its inception, the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day has removed almost 18 million pounds of unneeded medications from communities across the country.
According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who use prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtain that medication from a family member or friend.
“Mahalo for your support to protect Kaua‘i and create healthier environments by ensuring that deteriorating or forgotten medications are safely disposed of,” Ke added.
KPD also reminded residents to remove unneeded medications from their homes regularly and dispose of the medications at any of the available medication drop boxes located at KPD headquarters in Lihu‘e. The service is free, anonymous and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
